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Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly

LESSONS FROM THE GOSPEL PROPHET

FOREWORD

While the entire Bible is the word of God

and replete with sound counsel of abiding

value, there are certain books that stand out

above the rest with special messages for

specific time and conditions.

Among the most important of these is the

book of Isaiah. ' The prophet stresses the

eternal truths of sin and salvation, repent-

ance and conversion, righteousness and holi-

ness, as do the other writers. But in these

subjects he excels. Rarely are found such

moving passages as his portrayal .of the suf-

fering and death of the Servant of God. No-

where else do we find a sweeter or more

touching picture of Him who was despised

and rejected of men, a Man of Sorrows and

acquainted .with grief ; who willingly bared

His back to the smiters and His cheek to

them that plucked off the hair; who hid not

His face from shame and spitting, but stead-

fastly set His heart not to fail or be dis-

couraged. Nowhere else is God's love for

sinners more beautifully portrayed than in

the promise that though our sins be as

scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,

and though they be red like crimson, they

shall be as wool. Nowhere else is found a

more tender description of God's abounding

compassion and loving-kindness than in the

Shepherd passage, where Christ is presented

as One who shall feed His flock like a shep-

herd, gather the lambs with His arm and

carry them in His bosom, and gently lead

those that are with young.

There are explicit reasons why Isaiah is of

special importance to those living at the

present time. Problems, controversies, issues,

greater and more complicated than those of

previous ages, are facing men today. The

principles underlying these are more com-

prehensively treated in Isaiah than in any

other book of Holy Writ.

"Whatsoever things were written afore-

time were written for our learning," that

through them we "might have hope." Rom.

15:4. We should not forget, however, that

though "these things" were indeed "written

for our admonition,"

they also "happened

unto them [literal Israel] for ensamples."

1 Cor. 10:11. The inspired messages of the

prophets of old were addressed to Israel of

their own day, to prepare them as individ-

uals and as a nation for the proclamation of

the gospel, for the coming of the Messiah,

and for the establishment of His eternal

kingdom.

But as a nation. Israel failed to live up to

the high privileges of her calling, and as a

result many of the predictions and promises,

particularly those relating to the proclama-

tion of the gospel and the establishment of

the Messianic kingdom, could not be ful-

filled to her. Accordingly "that which God

purposed to do for the world through Israel,

the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish

through His church on earth today"

(Proph-

ets and Kings,

pages 713, 714), and the mes-

sages of Isaiah and other prophets are replete

with lessons of profound value for God's

people today. In studying these messages, it

is our privilege to find guidance for personal

Christian living and for a more intelligent

co-operation with divine agencies in the

task of proclaiming heaven's last message

of mercy to the world.

In the study of any passage of Isaiah,

then, we do well first to examine its context

and become familiar with the historical cir-

cumstances that called forth the counsel

there given. Second, our only safe course in

applying Old Testament prophecy to spirit-

ual Israel is to rely for guidance on what

later inspired writers have written. This

approach is fundamental to a correct under-

standing of what any of the prophets have

written. Discovering thus the mind of the

Spirit speaking to the people of that earlier

time, we are better prepared to understand

the lessons these messages have for us today

and to apply them to our own lives.

Lesson 1, for January 7, 1956

God's Arraignment of Israel

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 1.

MEMORY VERSE:

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your

sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like

crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18.

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STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Patriarchs and Prophets,"

pages 634, 635 (new ed., pp. 661, 662); "Steps to Christ," pages 26-33, 40, 41;

"Prophets and Kings," pages 599, 600, 605, 606; "Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary," Isaiah, chapter 1.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

Monday: Questions 4-7.

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

survey of Wednesday: Questions 11-14.

Thursday: Read from Study Helps as-

signment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Rebellion of Israel

God's complaint against Israel.

Isa. 1:2.

Israel's attitude compared with the

domestic animals. Isa. 1:3.

A seven-point indictment. Isa. 1:4.

II. Israel's Lamentable Condition

Futility of further punishment.

Isa. 1:5, first part.

Likened to a loathsome body. Isa.

1:5 (last part), 6.

Their desolated country. Isa. 1:7, 8.

7. Doom averted only because of a

remnant. Isa. 1:9.

III. The Divine Challenge

8. Repudiation of meaningless services.

Isa. 1:10-12.

9. Vanity of Israel's worship. Isa.

1:13-15.

10. Radical reform called for. Isa.

1:16, 17.

11. Invitation to repentance. Isa. 1:18.

IV. The Basis of Hope

12. Promises based on obedience. Isa.

1:19, 20.

13. Dross may be purged. Isa. 1:21-25.

14. Restoration and redemption prom-

ised. Isa. 1:26, 27.

THE LESSON

Introduction

Isaiah has been called the greatest of the

Old Testament prophets, the "king of all

prophets." His name signifies "Jehovah is

salvation." Nothing is known of his father

beyond the mere fact of his name Amoz, not

to be confused with Amos the prophet, to

whom he was not related. Isaiah lived in

Jerusalem, was of the "royal line," and had

easy access to the king. He had two sons.

Isa. 7:3; 8:3.

Various authorities state that Isaiah be-

gan to prophesy between the years 745 and

739 B.c. As his active labors continued more

than sixty years, he must have died some

[4]

time after 680 B.c., during the reign of

Manasseh. Tradition records that he was

placed inside a hollow log and sawn asunder.

There may be a reference to this in Hebrews

11:36-38.

The first chapter of Isaiah has aptly been

named the "Great Arraignment," as it is

cast in the aspect of a court scene, with

God as accuser and the people as defenders.

God has a controversy with Israel, and calls

heaven and earth to witness the awful fact

that rebellion has sprung up in His family.

As plaintiff He details seven charges against

the people, all having to do with apostasy

and rebellion. The scene is most solemn.

What can the people say in defense?

They have kept up the form of worship;

they have brought their sacrifices; they have

made "many prayers;" but all this has been

merely a matter of form. The Lord is dis-

pleased. He is weary of empty ceremonies,

which He hates. But instead of pronouncing

sentence upon the transgressors, as He might

justly do, He invites them to come "and let

us reason together."

Rebellion of Israel

What is God's complaint against

His people? Isa. 1:2.

•

NoTE.—Surely it must be a serious situa-

tion when God Himself makes the charge of

rebellion against His people. "In every age

. because of His infinite love for the erring,

God has borne long with the rebellious, and

has urged them to forsake their course of

evil, and return to

Him."—Prophets and

Kings,

pages 324, 325.

What impressive illustration

does God use to show how low Israel

had fallen? Isa. 1:3.

How is the complete depravity

of the people contrasted with God's

holy character? Isa. 1:4.

NoTE.—What a fearful condition is here

portrayed ! In contrast with this, God is

spoken of as "the Holy One of Israel." In

vision, Isaiah had seen "the Holy One," and

had heard the seraphim sing, "Holy, holy,

holy." That impression never left him. God

was to him, "Holy, holy, holy."

"The term ["the Holy One"] occurs four-

teen times in the first part of Isaiah, and

sixteen times in the second. A corrupt peo-

ple needed to be reminded ever more and

more of the truth which the name asserted."

—Ellicott's Commentary

on Isa. 1:4.

Israel's Lamentable Condition

How did God express the cer-

tainty of further punishment if the

people continued to revolt? Isa: 1:5,

first part.

How completely had the body

been afflicted because of their trans-

gression? Isa. 1:5 (last part), 6.

What had befallen their coun-

try? Isa. 1:7, 8.

What would have taken place

had there not been "a very small rem-

nant"? Isa. 1:9.

NoTE.—"Hearts that respond to the in-

fluence, of the Holy Spirit are the channels

through which God's blessing flows. Were

those who serve God removed from the

earth, and His Spirit withdrawn from among

men, this world would be left to desolation

and destruction, the fruit of Satan's do-

minion. Though the wicked know it not,

they owe even the blessings of this life to

the presence, in the world, of God's people

whom they despise and oppress."—The

De-

sire of Ages,

page 306.

The Divine Challenge

Addressing the rulers and the

people, by what questions does God

attempt to have them consider the real

meaning and purpose of sacrifices?

How does God regard their offerings?

Isa. 1:10-12.

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GOD'S GREAT TRANSFORMATION-

BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW.*

How is the uselessness of the

worship Israel was then offering set

forth? Isa. 1:13-15.

NOTE.—No form or ceremonies can ever

take the place of heart service. Without

Christ, without true repentance, no act is of

any value in God's sight. Even prayer may

become an abomination. Prov. 28:9.

10.

What radical reform does God

call for? Isa. 1:16, 17.

11.

What invitation does God ex-

tend? What happy condition follows

the acceptance of the invitation? Isa.

1:18.

NOTE.—"The government of God is not,

as Satan would make it appear, founded

upon a blind submission, an unreasoning

control. It appeals to the intellect and the

conscience. 'Come now, and let us reason

together,' is the Creator's invitation to the

beings He has made. God does not force the

will of His creatures. He cannot accept an

homage that is not willingly and intelligently

given. A mere forced submission would pre-

vent all real development of mind or charac-

ter; it would make man a mere automaton.

Such is not the purpose of the Creator. He

desires that man, the crowning work of His

creative power, shall reach the highest pos-

sible development. . . . It remains for us to

choose whether we will be set free from the

bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty

of the sons of God."

"You cannot atone for your past sins, you

cannot change your heart, and make your-

self holy. But God promises to do all this for

you through Christ. You

believe

that prom-

ise. You confess your sins, and give yourself

to God. You

will

to serve Him. Just as

surely as you do this, God will fulfill His

word to you. If you believe the promise,—

believe that you are forgiven and cleansed,—

God supplies the fact; you are made whole,

just as Christ gave the paralytic power to

walk when the man believed that he was

healed. It

so if you believe

it."—Steps

Christ,

pages 47, 48, 55.

The Basis of Hope

12.

On what conditions does God

promise His people the good of the

land? What attitude on the part of

the people will lead to their destruc-

tion? Isa. 1:19, 20.

NoTE.—"Here are the promises, plain and

definite, rich and full; but they are all upon

conditions. If you comply with the con-

ditions, can you not trust the Lord to fulfill

His word? Let these blessed promises, set

in the framework of faith, be placed in mem-

ory's halls. Not one of them will fail. All

that God hath spoken He will do. 'He is

faithful that promised.'

"—Testimonies, vol.

5, p. 630.

13.

While the once "faithful city"

goes further and further into evil,

what will God do for His own? What

will God purge away? Isa. 1:21-25.

14.

What promise of restoration

and redemption is made? Isa. 1:26, 27.

Lesson 2, for January 14, 1956

Rebuke and Triumph of Zion

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 3:14-26; 4.

MEMORY VERSE:

"In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious,

and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are

escaped of Israel." Isa. 4:2.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Prophets and Kings," pages

323, 324; "Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Isaiah, chapters 3, 4.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

Monday: Questions 5-7.

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

survey of Wednesday: Questions 11-14.

Thursday: Read from Study Helps as-

signment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Daughters of Zion Rebuked

Haughtiness and display. Isa. 3:16.

The smiting of the Lord. Isa.

3:17-26.

Paul's instruction about dress.

1 Tim. 2:9, 10.

Women seek to remove their

re-

proach.

Isa. 4:1.

II. Deliverance Through the Branch

A glorious Branch. Isa. 4:2.

A holy remnant. Isa. 4:3, first part.

7. Written among the living. Isa. 4:3,

last part.

III. A Cleansed People

8. Washing away the filth of Zion.

Isa. 4:4.

9. The refiner's fire. Mal. 3:1-3.

10. Enduring the devouring fire. Isa.

33:14-17.

IV. The Protecting Pillar

11. Israel led by pillar of fire and cloud.

Ex. 13:21.

12. God's people find refuge. Isa. 4:5, 6.

13. God is a present help in trouble.

Ps. 46:1-7.

14. Safety under the shadow of the Al-

mighty. Ps. 91:1-7.

THE LESSON

Introduction

The lesson deals with two classes in Zion

under the figure of daughters. The one is

the light, frivolous, clothes-conscious kind,

who, on the eve of destruction, are more

interested in what they should wear than in

what they should be. The third chapter of.

Isaiah deals with these.

The other daughters are those who are

getting ready to meet their Lord. These God

will cleanse and purge. When the destruc-

tion comes, as it will to all the world, they

have a sure refuge.

The emphasis of the lesson should be

on the fourth chapter and the preparation

needed to meet the approval of God.

The Daughters of Zion Rebuked

What controversy does God have

with the daughters of Zion? Isa. 3:16.

NorE.—"The prophecy of Isaiah 3 was

presented before me as applying to these

last days, and the reproofs are given to the

daughters of Zion who have thought only

of appearance and

display."—Testimonies,

vol.

1, p. 270.

What does the Lord say will be-

come of the artificialities of the daugh-

ters of Zion? Isa. 3:17-26.

NorE.—"Only a few short years, and the

ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel were to

be scattered among the nations of heathen-

dom. And in the kingdom of Judah also the

outlook was dark. The forces for good were

rapidly diminishing, the forces for evil multi-

plying."—Prophets and Kings,

page 324.

Conditions in the world today are not

unlike those in the time of Isaiah. We are

standing before the event of the ages, and

we, the sons of Zion as well as the daughters

of Zion, should be deeply concerned. The

rebuke which God administered then is ap-

plicable today. We are not to think that the

women are sinners above the men. All are

guilty before God and should take warning.

What instruction does Paul in

the New Testament give about dress?

1 Tim. 2:9, 10.

From the practice of some.

women what spiritual and prophetic

lessons may be drawn? Isa. 4:1.

NOTE.—In view of the setting of the text

and in the light of what follows, we believe

that there is a spiritual and prophetic appli-

cation of this text apart from the literal one.

"Woman" in the Bible is used as a symbol of

a church. Rev. 12:1, 2; 17:3; 19:7-9; 21:9.

By parity of reason, a good woman would

symbolize the church of God; a bad woman,

the apostate church. The seven women here

are not above reproach. They are willing to

enter into an unholy alliance, being desirous

of having a name presumably for their ex-

pected offspring.

Deliverance Through the Branch

How does the prophet speak of

the Branch of the Lord? Isa. 4:2.

NorE.—Christ is called the Branch in sev-

eral places in the Scriptures. See Isa. 11:1;

Jer. 23:5; Zech. 3:8; 6:12, 13.

Christ said: "I am the Vine, ye are the

branches." John 15:5. As Isaiah is about to

discuss the children of God and their ex-

periences, he refers to them as "the branch of

the Lord." They are presented in contrast

to the women mentioned in chapter 3, and

also the women spoken of in chapter 4:1.

They are the remnant, the chosen of God

who will pass through the trials of the last

days, including the seven last plagues, and

will come forth victorious.

What is said of those who are

left in Zion and who remain in Je-

rusalem? Isaiah 4:3, first part.

NOTE.—In the shaking time many will be

shaken out. These, with others who have

apostatized, will have no part in the cleans-

ing when God begins His work in the church.

It is not those who are outside the church

that come into the reckoning at this time,

but those that are left, those that remain in

the church. Let all have this in mind. Yet,

strange to say, there are among those outside

the church such as would gladly reform the

church. But God will not use apostates or

critics. God has means within the church for

its purification.

Everyone that remains "shall be called

holy." They are called holy because they

are holy. For those that remain, the rem-

nant, God will do a special work of grace.

When He has finished His work with them,

they will be holy.

How are those who are left in

Zion further described? Isa. 4:3, last

part.

[ 8

NOTE.—There may be a special signifi-

cance to the phrase, "written among the

living."

When God set out to cleanse the apostolic

church of dishonest and untruthful mem-

bers, some who refused to repent were car-

ried out dead. (Read the story of Ananias

and Sapphira in Acts 5.) This experience

brought great fear "upon all the church, and

upon as many as heard these things. . . .

And of the rest durst no man join himself

to them." Acts 5:11, 13.

When God shall cleanse His church at this

time, getting His people ready for transla-

tion, the story of Ananias and Sapphira may

give point to the expression that those who

remain "among the living in Jerusalem" will

be called holy.

A Cleansed People

How will God accomplish the

cleansing? Isa. 4:4.

NOTE.—God will wash away all filth. That

which cannot be removed by washing, He

will remove by the spirit of judgment and

the spirit of burning. God will have a clean

people and will use whatever means are

necessary to effect the cleansing.

How does Malachi describe the

process of cleaning? Mal. 3:1-3.

NoTE.—Refiner's fire is hot fire. This is

needed to clear away the dross. Fuller's soap

was used in washing the wool to remove

impurities.

10.

Who shall be able to endure

the devouring fire and the everlasting

burnings? What will be the reward

of such? Isa. 33:14-17.

The Protecting Pillar

11.

When God brought Israel out

of Egypt, how did He lead them? Ex.

1 3:2 1.

12.

What will the Lord do for His

remnant people? Isa. 4:5, 6.

NoTE.—This will find its fulfillment in the

last crisis. "In one of the most beautiful and

comforting passages of Isaiah's prophecy,

reference is made to the pillar of cloud and

of fire to represent God's care for His people

in the great final struggle with the powers of

evil."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 283.

13.

What assurance is given God's

people in the time of trouble? Ps.

46:1-7.

14.

What further does the psalmist

say about the security afforded by the

protecting "shadow of the Almighty"?

Ps. 91:1-7.

NOTE.—"The eye of God, looking down

the ages, was fixed upon the crisis which His

people are to meet, when earthly powers

shall be arrayed against them. Like the cap-

tive exile, they will be in fear of death by

starvation or by violence. But the Holy One

who divided the Red Sea before Israel, will

manifest His mighty power and turn their

captivity. 'They shall be Mine, saith the

Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up

My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man

spareth his own son that serveth him.' If

the blood of Christ's faithful witnesses were

shed at this time, it would not, like the blood

of the martyrs, be as seed sown to yield a -

harvest for God. Their fidelity would not be

a testimony to convince others of the truth;

for the obdurate heart has beaten back the

waves of mercy until they return no more.

If the righteous were now left to fall a prey

to their enemies, it would be a triumph for

the prince of darkness. . . . [See Ps. 27:5 ;

Isa. 26:20, 21.1 Glorious will be the deliver-

ance of those who have patiently waited for

His coming, and whose names are written in

the book of

life."-The Great Controversy,

page 634.

Lesson 3, for January 21, 1956

The Vineyard of the Lord; A Vision of God

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 5 and 6.

MEMORY VERSE:

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send,

and who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Isa. 6:8.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Prophets and Kings," intro-

ductory chapter, pages 303-310; "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 284-306

(new ed., pp. 287-311); "Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Isaiah,

chapters 5, 6.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

Monday: Questions 4, 5.

Tuesday: Questions 6-9.

of Wednesday: Questions 10-15.

Thursday: Read from Study Helps as-

signment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

The Lord's Vineyard

The care and fruit of the vineyard.

Isa. 5:1, 2.

God's appeal for judgment. Isa.

5:3, 4.

The desolated vineyard. Isa. 5:5-7.

Christ's parable of the vineyard.

Matt. 21:33-40.

Condemnation of the Jews. Matt.

21:41.

II. Visions of God

Isaiah's vision. Isa. 6:1.

Description of seraphim. Isa. 6:2.

The holy chorus. Isa. 6:3. Compare

Rev. 4:8.

The effect. Isa. 6:4. Compare Acts

2:1-4.

III. The Prophet's Reaction

10.

"Woe is me." Isa. 6:5.

11.

The live coal-sin purged. Isa. 6:6, 7.

12.

The call and the response. Isa. 6:8.

13.

The commission and the message.

Isa. 6:9, 10.

14.

How long? Isa. 6:11, 12.

15.

The promised remnant. Isa. 6:13.

THE LESSON

Introduction

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people to bring forth good fruit, but, behold,

The first part of the lesson deals with the they brought forth "wild grapes." Some of

Lord's vineyard. The Lord expected His these wild grapes .are mentioned in the latter

[

10]

part of chapter 5 under the six woes there

discussed.

The second part of the lesson deals with

the vision which Isaiah had of Jehovah.

This was the great decisive event in Isaiah's

life. It settled his career, his destiny. He had

seen the Lord ; his lips had been touched

with coals from off the altar. From now on

they were to be dedicated wholly to the

Lord.

He now offered himself willingly for serv-

ice, and the Lord instructed him what to say

to the people and also told him that they

would not understand nor accept the mes-

sage. Yet his work was not to be fruitless.

There would be left a tenth, a "holy seed,"

which should be as the stump of a sturdy

oak that still retains its life and will survive.

This thought of a remnant buoyed him in

days of discouragement. Isaiah refers to a

remnant again and again. God's work would

not be a failure. A remnant should be saved.

The Lord's Vineyard

1. What disappointing results are

expressed in the song of the vineyard?

Isa. 5:1, 2.

How does God appeal to the

people? Isa. 5:3, 4.

Because of Israel's failure, what

does God say He will do to His vine-

yard? Isa. 5:5-7.

Nom.—"God in His Son had been seeking

fruit, and had found none. Israel was a

cumberer of the ground. Its very existence

was a curse; for it filled the place in the

vineyard that a fruitful tree might fill. It

robbed the world of the blessings that God

designed to give. The Israelites had mis-

represented God among the nations. They

were not merely useless, but a decided hin-

drance. To a great degree their religion was

misleading, and wrought ruin instead of sal-

vation."—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 215.

In Christ's parable of the vine-

yard how did the husbandmen treat

the messengers and the son who were

sent to them? Matt. 21:33-40.

Nom.—"As the Lord's vineyard they were

to produce fruit altogether different from

that of the heathen nations. These idolatrous

peoples had given themselves up to work

wickedness. . . . In marked contrast was to

be the fruit borne on the vine of God's

planting.

"It was the privilege of the Jewish nation

to represent the character of God as it had

been revealed to Moses. In answer to the

prayer of Moses, 'Show me Thy glory,' the

Lord promised, will make all My goodness

pass before thee.' Exodus 33:18, 19. 'And

the Lord passed by before him, and pro-

claimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful

and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant

in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for

thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgres-

sion and sin.' Exodus 34:6, 7. This was the

fruit that God desired from His people. In

the purity of their characters, in the holiness

of their lives, in their mercy and loving-

kindness and compassion, they were to show

that 'the law of the Lord is perfect, convert-

ing the

soul.' "—Christ's Object Lessons,

pages 285, 286. Compare Christ's parable,

Matt. 21:33-44. See also Isa.

27:2,

What judgment did the Jews

pronounce upon themselves? Matt.

21:41.

Visions of God

In the year that King Uzziah

died, what vision came to Isaiah?

Isa. 6:1.

What description is given of the

seraphim? Isa. 6:2.

Nom.—The seraphim are an exalted order

of angels that stand above or around the

throne. The cherubim are another order,

mentioned in Ezekiel, chapters 1 and 10.

"Suddenly the gate and the inner veil of the

temple seemed to be uplifted or withdrawn,

and he [Isaiah] was permitted to gaze

WHEN

GOD CALLS,

CONSECRATED

WORKERS REPLY,.HERE AM 1;

SENO

within, upon the holy of holies, where even

the prophet's feet might not enter. There

rose up before him a vision of Jehovah sit-

ting upon a throne high and lifted up, while

the train of His glory filled the temple. On

each side of the throne hovered the seraphim,

their faces veiled in adoration, as they min-

istered before their Maker, and united in the

solemn invocation, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the

Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His

glory,' until post and pillar and cedar gate

seemed shaken with the sound, and the house

was filled with their tribute of praise."—

Prophets and Kings,

page 307.

8.. What was their exalted refrain?

Isa. 6:3. Compare with Rev. 4:8.

How did the tribute of praise

affect the very building? With what

was the house filled? Isa. 6:4. Com-

pare with the apostles' experience on

the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4.

The Prophet's Reaction

10.

How did this view of God's

holiness and glory affect the prophet?

Isa. 6:5.

NOTE.—"As

Isaiah beheld this revelation

of the glory and majesty of his Lord, he was

overwhelmed with a sense of the purity and

holiness of God. How sharp the contrast

between the matchless perfection of his

Creator, and the sinful course of those

who, with himself, had long been numbered

among the chosen people of Israel and

Judah! Woe is me!' he cried; 'for I am

undone; because I am a man of unclean

lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of

unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the

King, the Lord of hosts.'

"—Prophets and

Kings,

pages 307, 308.

11.

How did the Lord bring cleans-

ing to the prophet in the midst of his

vision? Isa. 6:6, 7.

NoTE.—"Standing, as it were, in the full

light of the divine presence within the inner

sanctuary, he realized that if left to his own

imperfection and inefficiency, he would be

utterly unable to accomplish the mission to

which he had been called. But a seraph was

sent to relieve him of his distress, and to fit

him for his great mission. A living coal from

the altar was laid upon his lips, with the

words, To, this hath touched thy lips; and

thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin

purged.' Then the voice of God was heard

saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go

for Us?' and Isaiah responded, 'Here am I;

send me.'

"—Prophets and Kings,

page 308.

12.

To what call was Isaiah now

ready to respond? Isa. 6:8.

13.

What shows the obstinacy of

the people to whom Isaiah was sent?

Isa. 6:9, 10.

NoTE.—"It is not God that blinds the eyes

of men or hardens their hearts. He sends

them light to correct their errors, and to lead

them in safe paths; it is by the rejection

of this light that the eyes are blinded and

the heart hardened."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 322.

14.

As the prophet asks, "How

long?" what answer is given? Isa.

6:11, 12.

15. What hope is given the

prophet? Isa. 6:13.

NOTE.

-"The

evils that had been multi-

plying for many generations could not be

removed in his day. Throughout his lifetime

he must be a patient, courageous teacher,-a

prophet of hope as well as of doom. The

divine purpose finally accomplished, the full

fruitage of his efforts, and of the labors of all

God's faithful messengers, would appear. A

remnant should be saved. . . .

"The Promised Land was not to remain

wholly forsaken forever. . . . This assurance

[verse 13] of the final fulfillment of God's

purpose brought courage to the heart of

Isaiah."-Prophets and Kings,

pages 309,

310.

Lesson 4, for January 28, 1956

The Government of God Established in Righteousness,

Peace, and Joy

LESSON SCRIPTURES:

Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11; 12.

MEMORY VERSE:

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for

the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation."

Isa. 12:2.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary," Isaiah, chapters 9, 11, 12.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1, 2.

Monday: Questions 3-6.

Tuesday: Questions 7-10.

of Wednesday: Questions 11-15.

Thursday: Read from Study Helps

signment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

as-

The rod from the stem of Jesse.

Isa. 11:1.

The spirit of discernment. Isa. 11:2.

[13

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Pre-eminent Son

"Unto us a child is born." Isa. 9:6,

first part.

His significant names. Isa. 9:6, last

part.

His kingdom established. Isa. 9:7,

first part.

Foundation principles of His king-

dom. Isa. 9:7, last part.

II. The Branch

7. Jeremiah's reference to the Right-

eous Branch. Jer. 23:5, 6.

8. Judging in righteousness. Isa. 11:3-5.

III. The Coming Kingdom

9. Peaceful conditions. Isa. 11:6-9.

10. An Ensign for the people. Isa. 11:10.

11. Gathering of the remnant. Isa. 11:

11, 12.

12. Deliverance from the enemy. Isa.

11:13-16.

IV. In That Day

13. Praise for anger turned away. Isa.

12:1,2.

14. Water from wells of salvation. Isa.

12:3.

15. Songs of praise. Isa. 12:4-6.

THE LESSON

written, 'The government shall be upon His

shoulder,' is the Wonderful Counselor."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 363.

"Christ, the Word, the Only Begotten of

God, was one with the eternal Father,—one

in nature, in character, in purpose,—the only

being that could enter into all the counsels

and purposes of God



And the Son of

God declares concerning Himself: 'The Lord

possessed Me in the beginning of His way,

before His works of old. I was set up from

everlasting. . . . When He appointed the

foundations of the earth, then I was by Him,

as one brought up with Him ; and I was

daily His delight, rejoicing always before

Him."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 34.

In the counsels of eternity Christ was

present, and even at that time He was a

Wonderful Counselor. He is the same today.

Mighty God.

There are some who would

belittle Christ and make Him a created be-

ing. Such have no conception of the dishonor

they thus heap upon Him. Christ is God, He

is "mighty God."

The Everlasting Father.

To make even

more sure that Christ is accorded the honor

of Godhood, He is here called the Everlast-

ing Father. This gives Christ the honor of

equality with the Father Himself. The two

are one, in honor, in character, in purpose,

but not in person. Christ Himself says, "All

men should honor the Son even as they

honor the Father." John 5:23. If Christ

were not God, and God in the highest sense,

this would be the highest blasphemy.

The Prince of Peace.

At the birth of Christ

the angels sang, "Glory to God in the high-

est, and on earth peace, good will toward

men." Luke 2:14. Christ came to bring

peace to earth among men and nations, but

mostly to bring peace to troubled souls,

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give

unto you: not as the world giveth, give I

unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid." John 14:27.

3. What was indicated as to the

nature of His reign? Isa. 9:7, first part.

Introduction

"Darkness, distress, anguish, and gloom

will be dispelled and God's glorious light will

take its place in the world,

for

the gift of

heaven to earth is to come in the person of

a holy Child. What a transformation His

coming is to make! Even Isaiah at the

distance of seven hundred years is able to

describe something of the glory of it. Divine

wisdom, divine might, divine fatherhood,

and divine peace are to come as a result of

His reign on the earth. These four pairs of

names for the Messiah emphasize His di-

vinity. The coming King is wise, is mighty,

is to be a guardian of His people, and will

bring into the world a heavenly peace."—

Kyle M. Yates,

Preaching From the Proph-

ets,

page 93.

The Pre-eminent Son

In what words was the hope of

the Messiah set forth? Isa. 9:6, first

part. Compare Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-28.

NOTE.—"It was Satan's purpose to bring

about an eternal separation between God

and man; but in Christ we become more

closely united to God than if we had never

fallen. . . . To assure us of His immutable

counsel of peace, God gave His only-begot-

ten Son to become one of the human family,

forever to retain His human nature. This is

the pledge that God will fulfill His word.

'Unto

a child is born, unto

a son is

given: and the government shall be upon

his shoulder.' God has adopted human na-

ture in the person of His Son, and has

carried the same into the highest heaven."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 25.

By what significant names is He

called? Isa. 9:6, last part.

NoTE.—Wonderful Counselor.

The Author-

ized Version separates these two words, oth-

ers place them together. As there is nothing

in the original to settle this question, we

may feel free to follow our choice. Christ is

wonderful, however considered. He is also

a wonderful counselor. "He of whom it is

NorE.—When Satan's rule is over, God's

government will be infinitely extended, not

only throughout the earth but also to the

illimitable reaches of the universe.

[ 14 3

CHRIST IS AN ENSIGN,

A RALLYIN

POINT,

FOR THE FAITHFUL.

Upon what principles were

the throne and the kingdom to be

founded? Verse 7, last part.

NoTE.—"Order," the word here used, is

not found, in the original Hebrew, elsewhere

in the Old Testament. It signifies to set

up, erect, "stand perpendicular," confirm,

fasten, set right. "Established" here means

to strengthen, to support, to hold up.

These words reveal the plan which God

had in mind from the beginning, but which

has been "kept in silence through times

eternal." Rom. 16:25, R.V. The government

shall rest on the shoulders of Christ, and He

will establish and order that which is to be.

The Branch

What was to issue from the stem

of Jesse? Isa. 11:1.

NoTE.—Jesse was the name of David's

father. 1 Sam. 17:12. Christ, therefore, was

of the house of David. Luke 1:32.

What spiritual discernment

would He possess? Isa. 11:2.

How does Jeremiah refer to this

Righteous Branch? Jer. 23:5, 6.

In what words does Isaiah fur-

ther describe the principles of the

Lord's government? Isa. 11:3-5.

NOTE.—

Quick

understanding" does not

merely mean a ready grasp of a problem, but

rather an understanding of the underly

ing

causes. We may freely come to God. He

understands. He is not led astray by ap-

pearances or by words. He can see through

a situation, and He is ready with the counsel

and help.

The Coming Kingdom

What is said of conditions in the

coming kingdom? Isa. 11:6-9.

10.

What shall the root of Jesse be

in "that day"? Isa. 11:10.

11.

What closing work is to be

accomplished in all the earth? Isa.

11:11, 12.

NoTE.—The "first" deliverance of His

people was from Egypt at the Exodus. The

"second" deliverance of His people referred

to here in Isaiah 11 is their restoration from

captivity in Assyria, Media, and Babylonia.

This we may see as a "type and assurance"

of the final deliverance at the second coming.

12.

At that time what will become

of envy and jealousy? Against whom

will they use their united strength?

Isa. 11:13-16.

NoTE.—There should never at any time be

envy or jealousy among God's people. Such

not only causes dissension among the breth-

ren, but it also effectively hinders the out-

pouring of the Spirit. It was when the

disciples "were all with one accord in one

place" that Pentecost came. Acts 2:1. We

must be a united people or we shall fail.

[151

In That Day



15. In what words will the saints

express their praise? Isa. 12:4-6..

13. What will God's people say in

"that day"? Isa. 12:1, 2.

Nora.—"That day" is the same day as is

referred to in the latter part of chapter 11.

It is a day of praise and thanksgiving when

the people of God experience the joy and

peace that come with harmony and love

among the brethren, and the assurance that

the day of deliverance is at hand. God has

been angry with them because of their luke-

warmness and indifference, but His anger is

now turned away, and He has become their

strength and salvation.

14. What will the people do joy-

fully? Isa. 12:3.

NOTE.—"Let him that heareth say, Come;

and whosoever will, let him come. Let every

soul, women as well as men, sound this

message. Then the work will be carried to

the waste places of the earth. The scripture

will be fulfilled: In that day the Lord shall

open fountains in the valleys, and 'rivers in

the desert,' and 'with joy shall ye draw water

out of the wells of salvation.' Isa. 41:18;

43:19, 20; 12

:3."—Testimonies,

vol. 6, p. 86.

NOTE.—"At the time of Hezekiah's acces-

sion to the throne of Judah, the Assyrians

had already carried captive a large number

of the children of Israel from the northern

kingdom; and a few years after he had

begun to reign, and while he was still

strengthening the defenses of Jerusalem, the

Assyrians besieged and captured. Samaria,

and scattered the ten tribes among the many

provinces of the Assyrian realm. The bor-

ders of Judah were only a few miles distant,

with Jerusalem less than fifty miles away;

and the rich spoils to be found within the

temple would tempt the enemy to return.

"But the king of Judah had determined

to do his part in preparing to resist the

enemy; and having accomplished all that

human ingenuity and energy could do, he

had assembled his forces, and had exhorted

them to be of good courage. 'Great is the

Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee,' had

been the message of the prophet Isaiah to

Judah; and the king with unwavering faith

now declared, 'With us is the Lord our God

to help us, and to fight our battles.'

"—

Prophets and Kings,

page 351.

Lesson 5, for February 4, 1956

The Day of the Lord; The Refuge of the Remnant

LESSON SCRIPTURES:

Isaiah 13; 24; 25.

MEMORY VERSE:

"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have

waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him,

we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa. 25:9.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary," Isaiah, chapters 13, 14, 25.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey of Tuesday: Questions 6-10.

the lesson.



Wednesday: Questions 11-16.

Sunday: Questions 1-3.



Thursday: Read Study Helps assignment.

Monday: Questions 4, 5.



Friday: Review the entire lesson.

[

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. A Time of Destruction

The day of the Lord described. Isa.

13:6-9.

Testimony of Zephaniah. Zeph.

1:14-18.

Signs in the heavens. Isa. 13:10.

Compare Matt. 24:29.

The earth laid waste. Isa. 13:11, 13 ;

24:1, 3, 4. Compare Jer. 4:23-28.

Reasons for judgments of God. Isa.

24:5, 6.

Results in the "cities of confusion."

Isa. 24:7-12.

II. The Remnant

7. Gleaned from among the peoples.

Isa. 24:13, 14.

8. Glorifying the Lord in the midst of

trouble. Isa. 24:15, 16.

III. The Wicked

9. The despair of the wicked. Isa. 24:

17, 18.

10. The end of this world. Isaiah 24:

19, 20.

11. The wicked during the millennium.

Isa. 24:21, 22.

12. The new earth and New Jerusalem.

Isa. 24:23.

IV. God

a Refuge and Strength

13. A refuge from the storm. Isa. 25:1-4.

14. A feast of fat things. Isa. 25:6, 7.

15. Death swallowed up in victory. Isa. „

25:8.

16. Rejoicing in His salvation. Isa. 25:9.

THE LESSON

NoTE.-The signs in the sun, moon, and

stars are the same as those mentioned 3/ the

Lord in Matthew 24. The sun was darkened

in accord with this prophecy May 19, 1780;

the moon the following night; and the great

sign of the falling of the stars took place

November 13, 1833.

4. What terrible destruction will

God bring upon the world? What

punishment will come to the wicked?

Isa. 13:11, 13; 24:1, 3, 4. Compare

Jer. 4:23-28.

Introduction

Amos says: "Shall not the day of the Lord

be darkness, and not light? even very dark,

and no brightness in it?" Amos 5:20. Joel

calls it "a day of darkness and of gloominess,

a day of clouds and of thick darkness." Joel

2.:2. Isaiah agrees with this, but he knows

that a remnant will be saved.

A Time of Destruction

1. What description is given by

Isaiah of the day of the Lord? What

will be the effect upon mankind? Isa.

13:6-9.

How is the clay of the Lord

spoken of by Zephaniah? Zeph. 1:

14-18.

NoTE.-The day of the Lord will come as

a day of deliverance to the people of God,

but to the wicked it will be a day of wrath

and fierce anger.

What is said of the stars, the

sun, and the moon? Isa. 13:10. See

also Matt. 24:29.

NOTE.-"The

whole earth appears like a

desolate wilderness. The ruins of cities and

villages destroyed by the earthquake, up-

rooted trees, ragged rocks thrown out by the

sea or torn out of the earth itself, are scat-

tered over its surface, while vast caverns

mark the spot where the mountains have

been rent from their foundations."-The

Great Controversy,

page 657.

5. Why will this destruction come?

Isa. 24:5, 6.

NoTE.-God's charge against the people

is that "they have transgressed the laws,

17 ]

•

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WE THANK

OUR

FATHER TOO LITTLE:

itw//,

LET

GODS

PEOPLE PRAISE HIM.

•

changed the ordinance, broken the everlast-

ing covenant." This charge is true today.

The laws of God and of men are lightly

regarded, crime and violence are alarmingly

increasing, and the everlasting covenant is

broken.

What is the result of this destruc-

tion? Isa. 24:7-12.

NOTE.—God will speak in ways that can-

not be misunderstood. When the earth shall

be given over to desolation, the merry-

hearted will sigh, the harp and the song will

cease, all joy will be darkened, and there will

be no mirth. Men are now pleasure mad;

but when the cities are broken down and

destruction reigns, there will be sorrow and

anguish. How significant is the expression,

"city of confusion"!

The Remnant

What will be the experience of

the remnant? Isa. 24:13, 14.

NoTE.—In the midst of these calamities,

as when an olive tree is shaken, or as when

grapes are gathered, there are a few still left,

so a remnant will remain. But many will be

shaken out. It is vitally important to be so

rooted and grounded in the truth, so firmly

anchored to eternal verities, that nothing can

shake us. All that can be shaken will be

shaken.

Whence will come a song of

praise? Isa. 24:15, 16.

NOTE.—While all things earthly are pass-

ing away, God's people will remain calm

and composed. Mountains may be cast into

the sea, the earth may shake, but they are

firmly anchored to the Rock of Ages. But

let no one be deceived. Only those who are

prepared will stand. And it will be too late

to attempt to get ready when the world is

collapsing. Now is the accepted time.

The Wicked

What is revealed concerning the

hopeless condition of the wicked? Isa.

24:17, 18.

NoTE.—Fear and panic shall seize the

wicked. As they flee, some will be caught in

the snare, some in the pit. And should they

escape from one, they will fall into another.

"For the windows from on high are open."

This is an expression similar to the one in

Malachi where God is said to open the win-

dows of heaven to pour out a blessing. Here

He pours out the vials of His wrath.

10.

What happens to this old earth?

Isa. 24:19, 20.

11.

What is done with the wicked?

Isa. 24:21, 22.

NOTE.—"The high ones that are on high,"

as contrasted with the kings of earth, are the

angels that fell, including Satan. The pit and

the prison into which they will be shut up is

the devastated earth. Rev. 20:1. "Many

days" has reference to the thousand years.

"At the close of the thousand years the

second resurrection will take place. Then

the wicked will be raised from the dead and

appear before God for the execution of 'the

judgment written.' . . . And Isaiah declares,

concerning the wicked: 'They shall be gath-

ered together, as prisoners are gathered in

the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison,

and

after many days shall they be visited.' "

—The Great Controversy,

page 661.

12.

What new-earth conditions are

brought to view? Isa. 24:23.

NOTE.—When the new kingdom is estab-

lished, the glory will be so great that the

sun• and the moon will pale in comparison,

or, as the text expresses it, "be confounded"

and "ashamed." See Rev. 22:5.

God a Refuge and Strength

13.

During this time of distress

and destruction what has God been

to His people? Isa. 25:1-4.

NOTE.—Notice particularly verse 4. Dur-

ing the raging of the elements, during the

time of persecution, God has been near and

protected His own.

14.

What will God do "in this

mountain"? What will He destroy?

Isa. 25:6, 7.

NOTE.—"A feast of fat things." We take

this to be a spiritual experience. And what

a wonderful thing it will be when Christ

Himself shall open to us the things that

formerly seemed dark!

Then the veil that has been over all na-

tions shall be removed, and the covering cast

off, and we shall see, in all things, God's

purpose that before was dark and hidden.

15.

What threefold assurance does

God give to His people? Isa. 25:8.

NOTE.—" 'They shall call them, The holy

people, The redeemed of the Lord.' He hath

appointed 'to give unto them beauty for

ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the.

garment of praise for the spirit of heavi-

ness.' Isa. 62:12 ; 61:3. They are no longer

feeble, afflicted, scattered, and oppressed.

Henceforth they are to be ever with the

Lord. They stand before the throne clad in

richer robes than the most honored of the

earth have ever worn. They are crowned

with diadems more glorious than were ever

placed upon the brow of earthly monarchs.

The days of pain and weeping are forever

ended. The King of glory has wiped the

tears from all faces; every cause of grief has

been removed."—The

Great Controversy,

page 650.

16.

What shall be said in that day?

Isa. 25:9.

Noza.—"Those who would have destroyed

Christ and His faithful people now witness

the glory which rests upon them. In the

midst of their terror they hear the voices of

the saints in joyful strains exclaiming: `Lo,

this is our God; we have waited for Him,

and He will save us.'

"—The Great Contro-

versy,

page 644.

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLIES

The senior "Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly" is published in

the following foreign languages: Bohemian, Danish-Norwegian,

German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovakian,

Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian, and Yugoslavian. Write to the Inter-

national Branch of the Pacific Press at Brookfield, Illinois, for any

of these quarterlies for the strangers within your gates.

[ 19 ]

Lesson 6, for February 11, 1956

The Trials and Triumph of God's People; The New Earth

LESSON SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 26 and 35.

MEMORY VERSE: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on

Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isa. 26:3.

STUDY HELPS: Lesson Helps in

"Review

and Herald;" "The Acts of the Apostles,"

pages 593-602; "The Great Controversy," pages 635-642, 672-678 (new ed.

pp. 717-724, 755-762); "Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Isaiah,

chapters 26, 35.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey of

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

Monday: Questions 4-7.

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

Wednesday: Questions 11-13.

Thursday: Read Study Helps assignment.

Friday:

Review the entire lesson.

Introduction

In the midst of all the destruction of the

last days, God's people will have a song of

trust and confidence. All things earthly will

fail, the world itself will reel and be dis-

solved, but with faith God's people exclaim:

"We have a strong city." They have not

been perfect, but they have made God their

trust, and all is well.

Confidence and Trust

1. What song will be sung "in that

day"? To whom will the gates be

opened? Isa. 26:1, 2. See Rev. 22:14.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Confidence and Trust

A song of assurance. Isa. 26:1, 2.

Peace of mind. Isa. 26:3, 4.

Waiting on the Lord. Isa. 26:8, 9,

first part.

Purpose of God's judgments. Isa.

26:9 (last part), 10-12; Eph. 2:10.

II. Triumphant in Trouble

5. The Lord wrought for us against the

wicked. Isa. 26:12-14.

"Thy dead men shall live." Isa.

26:19.

Blessed invitation to God's people.

Isa

. 26:20, 21.

III. The Joyous Reward of the Redeemed

The desert blossoms as the rose.

Isa. 35:1.

Rejoicing with joy and singing. Isa.

35:2.

10.

Assurance of recompense. Isa.

35:3, 4.

11.

Changed conditions. Isa. 35:5-7.

12.

The way of holiness. Isa. 35:8, 9.

13.

The ransomed of the Lord. Isa.

35:10.

THE LESSON

2. Through all the struggles and

turmoils of the last days, what may

God's people possess? Isa. 26:3, 4.

NOTE.

-"Those

who take Christ at His

word, and surrender their souls to His keep-

ing, their lives to His ordering, will find

peace and quietude. Nothing of the world

can make them sad when Jesus makes them

glad by His presence. In perfect acquies-

cence there is perfect rest.... Our lives may

seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves

[ 20

to the wise Master Worker, He will bring

out the pattern of life and character that

will be to His own glory. And that charac-

ter which expresses the glory—character--

of Christ will be received into the Paradise

of God. A renovated race shall walk with

Him in white, for they are worthy."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 331.

What will characterize those

who are waiting for the Lord? Isa.

26:8, 9, first part.

Nom.—The people here spoken of have

been waiting for the Lord. When His judg-

ments were in the earth, they waited. Their

desire was to the name of God and to His

remembrance, or memorial. The American

Revised Version of verse 8 reads: "Yea, in

the way of Thy judgments, 0 Jehovah, have

we waited for Thee; to Thy name, even to

Thy memorial name, is the desire of our

soul." The name of God is His character.

And the remnant people will have the name

of God in their foreheads. Rev. 14:1.

What is the effect of God's judg-

ment upon mankind? What does God

ordain for His own? What has He

done for them? Isa. 26:9 (last part),

10-12; Eph. 2:10.

Nom.—Thus it has ever been. When

God's judgments are in the land, men

humble themselves. They promise to do

right. Verse 9. Let the judgments be taken

away, let the danger pass, and many will

forget all their good intentions. Verse 10.

Triumphant in Trouble

What confession do God's peo-

ple make? What becomes of the

wicked? Isa. 26:12-14.

Nom.—The American Revised Version

reads, "Thou hast also wrought all our

works for us." Verse 12. God works in us

both to will and to do. We can do no good

thing of ourselves. But, says the apostle

Paul, "I have strength for anything through

Him who gives me power." Phil. 4:13,

Weymouth.

What joyful news is proclaimed

concerning those who have died in

the Lord? Isa. 26:19.

When God comes forth to pun-

ish the world, what gracious invita-

tion is given to God's people? Isa.

26:20, 21.

Nom.—"If the blood of Christ's faithful

witnesses were shed at this time, it would

not, like the blood of the martyrs, be as seed

sown to yield a harvest for God. Their

fidelity would not be a testimony to con-

vince others of the truth; for the obdurate

heart has beaten back the waves of mercy

until they return no more. If the righteous

were now left to fall a prey to their enemies,

it would be a 'triumph for the prince of

darkness. Says the psalmist: 'In the time of

trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in

the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide

me.' Ps. 27:5. Christ has spoken: 'Come,

My people, enter thou into thy chambers,

and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself

as it were for a little moment, until the

indignation be overpast. For, behold, the

Lord cometh out of His place to punish the

inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.'

Isa. 26:20, 21. Glorious will be the deliver-

ance of those who have patiently waited for

His coming and whose names are written in

the book of

life."—The Great Controversy,

page 634.

The Joyous Reward of the

Redeemed

What is said of the wilderness

and the solitary place? Isa. 35:1.

Nom.—This text has reference primarily

to new-earth conditions. However, it may

also have a spiritual application to the pres-

ent as in the following quotation: "There

are places which are now a moral wilderness,

[21

GODS REHABILITATION PROGRAM WILL

MAKE A WORN-OUT EARTH TO BLOSSOM

AS EDEN IS RESTORED.

and these are to become as the garden of the

Lord. The waste places of the earth are to

be cultivated, that they may bud and blos-

som as the rose. New territories are to be

worked by men inspired by the Holy Spirit.

. The light is to shine to all lands and all

peoples. And it is from those who have

received the light that it is to shine forth.

The daystar has risen upon us, and we are

to flash its light upon the pathway of those

darkness."—Testimonies,

vol. 6, p. 24.

"In the transformation of character, the

casting out of evil passions, the development

of the sweet graces of God's Holy Spirit, we

see the fulfillment of the promise, 'Instead of

the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and

instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle

tree.' We behold life's desert 'rejoice, and

blossom as the rose.'

"—Ibid.,

p. 308.

9. In the desert wastes, what

changes are foretold? Isa. 35:2.

NoTE.—The desert "shall blossom abun-

dantly." "Christ delights to take apparently

hopeless material, those whom Satan has

debased and through whom he has worked,

and make them the subjects of His grace.

He rejoices to deliver them from suffering

and from the wrath that is to fall upon the

the disobedient. He makes His children His

agents in the accomplishment of this work,

and in its success, even in this life, they find

a precious

reward."—Testimonies,

vol. 6,

pp. 308, 309.

By "the glory of Lebanon" and "the ex-

cellency of Carmel and Sharon" are without

doubt meant their fruitfulness. In the desert

are no trees or grainfields. But this shall be

changed. Those barren lives that have pro-

duced no fruit shall blossom abundantly.

This seems to be a distinct prophecy of the

times when those lands that have been un-

responsive to the gospel shall be wide open.

"It was concerning the future fulfillment

of this prophecy that Isaiah had heard the

shining seraphim singing before the throne,

The whole earth is full of His glory.' The

prophet, confident of the certainty of these

words, himself afterward boldly declared of

those who were bowing down to images of

wood and stone, 'They shall see the glory

of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.'

"Today this prophecy is meeting rapid

fulfillment. The missionary activities of the

church of God on earth are bearing rich

fruitage, and soon the gospel message will

have been proclaimed to all nations. 'To the

praise of the glory of His grace,' men and

women from every kindred, tongue, and

people are being made 'accepted in the

Beloved,' that in the ages to come He might

show the exceeding riches of His grace in

His kindness toward us through Christ Je-

sus.'

"—Prophets and Kings,

pages 313, 314.

10. What encouraging message is

given to the weak and fearful? Isa.

35:3, 4.

NOTE.—"Angels from

pure and holy

heaven come to this polluted world to sym-

pathize with the weakest, the most helpless

and needy, while Christ Himself descended

from His throne to help just such as these.

You have no right to hold yourself aloof

from these faltering ones, nor to assert your

marked superiority over them. Come more

into unison with Christ, pity the erring, lift

up the hands that hang down, strengthen

the feeble knees, and bid the fearful hearts be

strong. Pity and help them, even as Christ

has pitied

you."—Testimonies,

vol. 4, p. 131.

The fearful, the fainthearted, are not to be

despised, but rather encouraged. And this in

view of the fact that Christ is soon coming.

This is to be the keynote of every message:

Christ is coming. He will come with ven-

geance, to punish. He will come with the

recompense, to reward. He will come to

[ 22 ]

save; so be courageous. The Master is at

the door.

11.

What wonderful changes will

take place when the Lord comes? Isa.

35:5-7.

12.

How is the highway of the Lord

and its travelers described? Isa. 35:8, 9.

NoTE.-The American Revised Version of

verse 8 reads: "It shall be for the redeemed,"

rather than, "It shall be for those."

13.

What thrilling experience

awaits the ransomed of the Lord?

Isa. 35:10.

NOTE.-The

picture presented in verse 10

was familiar to all Jews. At the annual

feasts the Israelites would come in groups

from all parts of the land. They would be-

deck themselves and their animals in festive

adornment, and sing as they journeyed

along.

It is with joy that God's redeemed people

shall return to the heavenly Zion. No sor-

row, no sighing, but everlasting joy shall be

theirs. Lord, speed that day !

Lesson 7, for February 18, 1956

Behold Your God

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 40.

MEMORY VERSE:

"He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs

with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are

with young." Isa. 40:11

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald:" "The Desire of Ages," pages

132-135; "Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Isaiah, chapter 40.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey of

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

Monday: Questions 4-6.

Tuesday: Questions 7-9.

Wednesday: Questions 10-14.

Thursday: Read Study Helps assignment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. A Voice in the Wilderness

A message of comfort. Isa. 40:1, 2.

"Prepare ye the way of the Lord."

Isa. 40:3-5; Matt. 3:1-3.

Frailty of man-the strength of

God's word. Isa. 40:6-8.

II. Good Tidings

4. Zion, bearer of good tidings. Isa.

40:9.

The vital message. Isa. 40:10.

The gentle shepherd. Isa. 40:11.

Compare John 10:1-16.

The incomprehensible ways of God.

Isa. 40:12-14.

III. God Incomparable

Insignificance of the nations. Isa.

40:15-17.

God contrasted with idols. Isa. 40:

18-20.

10.

Sovereign greatness of God. Isa.

40:21-24.

11.

The Creator's power. Isa. 40:25, 26.

[ 23 ]

IV. The Creator's Watchcare

12. Israel reproved for doubting God's

care. Isa. 40:27.

13.

God assures His people. Isa. 40:

28, 29.

14.

Promise of strength renewed. Isa.

40:30, 31.

THE LESSON

Introduction

The section in Isaiah beginning with chap-

ter 40 is of special interest to God's people at

this time. The believer in the Bible has no

difficulty in seeing Christ portrayed before

his eyes as the suffering Servant of God.

The angel of Revelation 14 calls upon men

to "worship Him that made heaven, and

earth, and the sea, and the fountains of

waters." Revelation 14:7. This message is

due to the world today, and it constitutes a

direct challenge to modernism and the de-

structive theory of evolution, which is God-

denying in its effect. When we are told to

worship Him that made heaven and earth,

the attention by these words is drawn to the

first chapter of the Bible, where the account

of creation is recorded. The angel calls upon

men to worship the God of the first chapter

of Genesis, the God who created.

While the entire Bible is filled with refer-

ences to God as Creator, Isaiah is the only

one who presents a sustained argument for

creation as opposed to theories which would

dethrone God and deprive Him of His due

glory. When He, therefore, in the chapters

we are about to study, repeatedly calls at-

tention to God as Creator, He is presenting

present truth.

More than a third of the chapters that

remain are concerned with God as the great

Creator. The other two thirds contain some

of the most beautiful and helpful passages

in the entire book of God. They are all of

special interest to God's people at this time.

A Voice in the Wilderness

1. What comforting message does

God send to His people? Isa. 40:1, 2.

Nom—Sin, wherever found, is abhorrent

to God, but doubly so in the case of those

who know the truth. Light brings responsi-

bility. Those who know the truth and still

persist in sin are more guilty than those who

do not have a knowledge of God's message

for this time. For this reason God's people

had received double punishment. But God

does not hate his people any more than the

gardener hates the vine which he prunes.

God loves His people and sends them a mes-

sage. of comfort and love.

What message is proclaimed by

the voice crying in the wilderness?

Who fulfilled this scripture? Isa.

40:3-5; Matt. 3:1-3.

NOTE.—"In this age, just prior to the

second coming of Christ in the clouds of

heaven, such a work as that of John is to be

done. God calls for men who will prepare a

people to stand in the great day of the Lord.

The message preceding the public ministry of

Christ was: 'Repent, publicans and sinners;

repent, Pharisees and Sadducees ; "repent ye:

for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."' . . .

"In order to give such a message as John

gave, we must have a spiritual experience

like his. The same work must be wrought in

us. We must behold God, and in beholding

Him lose sight of

self."—Testimonies,

vol. 8,

pp. 332, 333.

In what language does Isaiah

contrast the temporal with the eter-

nal? Isa. 40:6-8.

NorE.—Man and his wisdom shall perish,

but "the word of our God shall stand for-

ever." Men's theories will go down. Their

ideas of future peace and of a millennium

will not bear the test of "the word." It is

well to build on something that will "stand"

when everything else is shaken.

Good Tidings

How is the proclamation of good

tidings made effective? Isa. 40:9.



Kam.

THE HEAVENS PROCLAIM THAT AN

EVERLASTING CREATOR MADE ALL THINGS.

IOU-

NOTE.—"The children of God are to mani-

fest His glory. In their own life and charac-

ter they are to reveal what the grace of God

has done for them. The light of the Sun

of Righteousness is to shine forth in good

works—in words of truth and deeds of

holiness."—Christ's Object Lessons,

pages

415, 416.

What is a vital part of the mes-

sage to be given? Isa. 40:10.

NOTE.—"The Lord God will come." , This

is the advent proclamation, and should be

the keynote of every message. The Lord will

come "with strong hand." He will "rule."

See Ps.

2:8,

9. He will also bring the "re-

ward" with Him. See Rev. 22:12. The Lord

will come to punish and to reward.

Under what beautiful symbol is

Christ presented? How are His love

and care revealed? Isa. 40:11. See also

John 10:1-16.

NorE.—"Christ, the Chief Shepherd, has

entrusted the care of His flock to His min-

isters as undershepherds ; and He bids them

have the same interest that He has mani-

fested, and feel the sacred responsibility of

the charge He has entrusted to them. He has

solemnly commanded them to be faithful, to

feed the flock, to strengthen the weak, to

revive the fainting, and to shield them from

devouring

wolves."—Patriarchs and Proph-

ets,

page 191.

How does the prophet illustrate

the mighty power of God? What fur-

ther questions are asked? Isa. 40:12-14.

NOTE.—These questions are so put as to

require the negative answer,—No one,—the

strongest way in which such statements can

be placed. The positive would be, God has

not been taught by anyone; no one has

shown Him "the way of understanding."

That is, God is the Original One, the Ulti-

mate One, the Source of all things. There

was none before Him. No one "instructed"

or "taught" Him.

God Incomparable

In comparison to God's om-

nipotence, what is said of the nations?

Isa. 40:15-17.

NoTE.—The dripping of a bucket or a

little dust blown from the scales is not

regarded as great or important. Yet if whole

nations are so counted, how much smaller

must the individual be 1 But puny man sets

himself up against God and attempts to

teach Him ! Such indeed must be counted

by Heaven less than nothing, and vanity.

What shows that it is impossible

to make any comparison to the great

God of heaven? How are idols made?

Isa. 40:18-20.

NoTE.—The inference is plain. God is the

Creator. He has made all things. Idols can-

not create. They themselves must be made.

10.

How is the majesty of God con-

trasted with the rulers of earth? Isa.

40:21-24.

NoTE.—Verse 22 in the American Revised

Version reads, "above the circle of the

earth," and the same version in the margin

renders verse 24: "Scarce are they planted,

scarce are they sown, scarce bath their stock

taken root in the earth, when He bloweth

upon them." That is, men hardly begin to

live ere they are taken away.

11.

What are we counseled to do?

How are God's wisdom and power

shown? Isa. 40:25, 26.

NOTE.—"God calls upon His creatures to

turn their attention from the confusion and

perplexity around them, and admire His

handiwork. As we study His works, angels

from heaven will be by our side, to enlighten

our minds, and guard them from Satan's

deceptions. As you look at the wonderful

things that God's hand has made, let your

proud, foolish heart feel its dependence and

inferiority. How terrible it is when the

acknowledgment of God is not made when

it should be made ! How sad to humble one's

self when it is too late

!"—Counsels to Par-

ents, Teachers, and Students,

page 457.

The Creator's Watchcare

12.

What do Jacob and Israel say?

Isa. 40:27.

NoTE.—The complaint of Jacob and Is-

rael seems to be that "my way," that is,

their course and condition of life, is hidden

from the Lord, and that "my judgment" or,

rather, "my right," escapes His notice. It is

really a complaint from the people that God

does not pay enough attention to them, that

He passes them by.

13.

How does God meet the com-

plaint of the people and assure them

of His knowledge and care? Isa.

40:28, 29.

NOTE.—"There is no searching of His un-

derstanding." That is, God knows. You

may think He does not know your perplexi-

ties, or, even worse, that He does not care.

Be assured, dear soul, God knows and He

cares. Your God not only understands, but

He will give you the needed power and will

increase your strength.

"God's workers will meet with turmoil,

discomfort, and weariness. At times, un-

certain and distracted, they are almost in

despair. When this restless nervousness

comes, let them remember Christ's invita-

tion: 'Come ye yourselves apart, . . . and

rest awhile.' The Saviour `giveth power to

the faint; and to them that have no might

He increaseth strength.' Isa.

40:29."—Testi-

monies, vol. 7,

p. 244.

14.

What may be the experience

of the youth? What is noted of them

"that wait upon the Lord"? Isa.

40:30, 31.

Nora.—"Remember that prayer is the

source of your strength. A worker cannot

gain success while he hurries through his

prayers and rushes away to look after some-

thing that he fears may be neglected or for-

gotten. He gives only a few hurried thoughts

to God; he does not take time to think, to

pray, to wait upon the Lord for a renewal

of physical and spiritual strength. He soon

becomes weary. He does not feel the uplift-

ing, inspiring influence of God's Spirit. He

is not quickened by fresh life. His jaded

frame and tired brain are not soothed by

personal contact with

Christ."—Testimo-

nies, vol.

7, p. 243. Read Psalm 27:14.

LESSON QUARTERLIES FOR THE BLIND

The senior

Sabbath-school lessons, slightly condensed, are published

each quarter in Braille and supplied free to the blind upon request.

Address: The Christian Record Benevolent Association, Box 66, Lincoln 6,

Nebraska.

[26

Lesson 8, for February 25, 1956

Jehovah's Challenge to False Gods

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 41.

MEMORY VERSE:

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy

God: I

will

strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with

the right hand of My righteousness." Isa. 41:10.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald:" "Prophets and Kings," pages

143-154; "Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Isaiah, chapter 41.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey of

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

Monday: Questions 4-6.

Tuesday: Questions 7-9.

Wednesday: Questions 10-14.

Thursday: Read Study Helps assignment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Man From the East

God's challenge to the people. Isa.

41:1-3.

God propounds and answers a ques-

tion. Isa. 41:4.

Mutual encouragement. Isa. 41:5-7.

II. God Assures His People

Fear not, I am with thee. Isa. 41:

8-10.

Their enemies confounded. Isa. 41:

11, 12.

Promise of help renewed. Isa. 41:

13, 14.

Victory over enemies promised. Isa.

41:15, 16.

Promise to poor and needy. Isa.

41:17, 18.

Evidence of the hand of the Lord.

Isa. 41:19, 20.

III. Challenge to the Idols

10.

A test proposed. Isa. 41:21.

11.

Challenged to reveal the future. Isa.

41:22-24.

12.

Cyrus is raised up. Isa. 41:25.

13.

God scorns the futility of false gods.

Isa. 41:26, 28, 29.

14.

Good tidings to Jerusalem. Isa.

41:27.

THE LESSON

Introduction



nations." He will give him rule over kings.

Though this man is not named as yet, he is

"Study the forty-first chapter of Isaiah, without doubt Cyrus, mentioned by name

and strive to understand it in all its signifi-



first in Isaiah 44:28, many years before he

cance."-Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 39.



was born.

In Isaiah 40 God is presented as the



God gives every man ample ground for

Creator. In this chapter the nations are



faith. In this chapter He says, in substance,

challenged to appear as witnesses to God's



to Israel, "I will foretell the future. By that

foreknowledge. The Lord will tell them you may know that I am God. I challenge

about the future, concerning one who hath the idols to tell what shall come to pass.

been "raised up . . . from the east, whom They cannot do this. When I tell you con-

He calleth in righteousness to His foot." Isa. cerning the man I will raise up and you see

41:2, R.V. God will give this man "the it come to pass, you may know that I am

[

]

indeed the true God, the Creator of the

heavens and the earth."

"Islands," literally "coastlands," or lands

bordering on the sea. When the people of

Isaiah's time spoke of "islands" they referred

to "foreign lands."

The Man From the East

How does God address the is-

lands and the people? What questions

does God ask? What would the "man

from the east" do? Isa. 41:1-3.

NOTE.—God calls the nations before Him.

He is about to speak to them, so He asks

them to keep silence. After God has spoken,

"then let them speak."

The sense of these verses may perhaps best

be presented by this paraphrase: "Who hath

raised up one from the east who is always

victorious? Who hath given him authority

over the nations, and made him rule over

kings? His sword drives them like dust, his

bow like chaff before the wind. He pursues

them and marches forward safely and that

so swiftly that he does not tread the path

with his feet."

Cyrus is the "man from the east." See

Introduction.

What question does God pro-

pound? How is God spoken of? Isa.

41:4.

NoTE.—This verse does not say that God

is the first and the last. That indeed is true.

Rev. 1:11. But here it states that God is

with the last. Even as God was in the

beginning, so He will be with His people to

the end, with the last.

How did the people encourage

one another? Isa. 41:5-7.

NoTE.—The prophet is here describing the

condition which would accompany the con-

quests of Cyrus. The islands and the nations

would be afraid; they "drew near," but

not to God. This drawing near probably

has reference to the league between Lydia,

Babylon, and Egypt against Cyrus. Instead

of trusting God, they appeal to their idols,

and decide to make a particularly good and

strong set of gods.

"Well might the words written of the

idol builders of old be, with worthier aim,

adopted as a motto by character builders of

today:—"They helped everyone his neigh-

bor; and everyone said to his brother, Be of

good courage.'

"—Education,

page 286.

God Assures His People

What comforting assurance does

God give to His people? Isa. 41:8-10.

NOTE.—"Abraham My friend"! What a

wonderful designation ! And we are the chil-

dren of Abraham, God's friend. God's peo-

ple will come from the ends of the earth.

They may not

perfect, but God has not

cast them away.

What will be the experience of

those who are incensed against God's

people? Isaiah 41:11, 12.

How does the Holy One of Israel

encourage His people? Isa. 41:13, 14.

NOTE.—"The heart of Infinite Love yearns

after those who feel powerless to free them-

selves from the snares of Satan; and He

graciously offers to strengthen them to live

for Him. 'Fear thou not,' He bids them; 'for

I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am

thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will

help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the

right hand of My righteousness.' I the Lord

thy God will hold thy right hand, saying

unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear

not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel;

I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Re-

deemer, the Holy One of Israel.'

"—Proph-

ets and Kings,

page 316.

In what words does the Lord

indicate the triumph of His people

over their enemies? Isa. 41:15, 16.

NOTE.—The time was to come when Israel

should again reign. As the instrument of the

[ 28 ]

IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE

BOOS

•

PEOPLE .%9U. BE SHIELDED BY HEAVENLY

ANGELS.

Almighty they would thresh the nations

(mountains). A day also lies just ahead

when the Israel of God will no longer be a

savor of life to a rebellious world. No more

will God spare a world in rebellion because

of the righteous remnant. Instead, because

of their rebellion and their oppression of His

people, the vials of His wrath will be poured

upon them. The land will be emptied and

desolate (Rev. 6:14-17; Jer. 4:23-28) like

Babylon of old (Jer. 51:2). But in that day

God's people shall rejoice in Him and "glory

in the Holy One of Israel." See Isa. 25:8, 9.

8. What precious promise does God

give to the poor and the needy? Isa.

41:17, 18.

Nom—This text has a literal application

as well as a spiritual one. Speaking of the

time of trouble, we read in

The Great Con-

troversy,

page 629:

"The people of God will not be free

from suffering; but while persecuted and

distressed, while they endure privation, and

suffer for want of food, they will not be left

to perish. That God who cared for Elijah,

will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing

children. He who numbers the hairs of their

head, will care for them ; and in time of

famine they shall be satisfied. Whiie the

wicked are dying from hunger and pesti-

lence, angels will shield the righteous, and

supply their wants. To him that `walketh

righteously' is the promise, 'Bread shall be

given him ; his waters shall be sure.' When

the poor and needy seek water, and there is

none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I

the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel

will not forsake them.' "

What will God plant in the

wilderness and in the desert? Why

does God do this? Isa. 41:19, 20.

Nom—These trees are of the choicest.

The desert itself shall be transformed into a

grove of stately, beautiful trees. And the

object is that men may see in this a demon-

stration of the creative power of God.

Challenge to the Idols

10.

What does the Lord call upon

the idols of the nations to do? Isa.

41:21.

11.

What does God challenge the

idols to reveal? What does God de-

clare them to be? Isa. 41:22-24.

NorE.—God's challenge is definite, "Show

us the future. Prove your power to predict,

or give any proof of life and activity." See

Jer. 10:5. God's idea of these idols is well

expressed in the margin, "worse than noth-

ing," "worse than of a viper."

12.

Whom does God say He has

raised up? What shall He do to

princes? Isa. 41:25.

Nom—Cyrus is here again introduced.

He is said to have come from the north, also

from the east. In fact, he came from the east,

though all armies from the east came around

the Arabian Desert, and hence attacked

Palestine from the north.

"Call upon My name." The Cambridge

Bible, page 23, makes the following com-

ment: "It is true that in Isaiah 45:4 it is

said that Cyrus had not known Jehovah;

but it is also said (verse 3) that the effect of

his remarkable successes will be 'that thou

mayest know that I am Jehovah that calleth

thee by thy name, the God of Israel.' There

f 29 )

is therefore no difficulty in the idea that

ride false gods? Isa. 41:26, 28, 29.

Cyrus, who was at first the unconscious

instrument of Jehovah's purpose, shall at

length recognize that Jehovah was the true

author of his success."



14. How is the promise of good

tidings to Jerusalem reiterated? Isa.

13. In what words does God de- 41:27.

Lesson 9, for March 3, 1956

The Elect of God, a Light to the Gentiles

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 42.

MEMORY VERSE:

"A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall

He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth." Isa. 42:3.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Prophets and Kings," pages

692-694; "Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Isaiah, chapter 42.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey of

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

Monday: Questions 5-7.

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

Wednesday: Questions 11-14.

Thursday: Read Study Helps assignment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Introduction

The work of Christ is definitely set forth

in this chapter. He is the elect of God, a

term which occurs six times in this portion

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Lord's Servant

God's chosen servant. Isa. 42:1.

His quiet ways. Isa. 42:2.

His gentle dealing. Isa. 42:3.

His resolute purpose. Isa. 42:4.

II. A Light to the Gentiles

The Creator and Sustainer. Isa. 42:5.

Commission to His servant. Isa.

42:6, 7.

His name and glory. Isa. 42:8, 9.

III. Triumph Over Enemies

A new song. Isa. 42:10-12.

Release from long restraint. Isa.

42:13-15.

10.

The shame of worshipers of images.

Isa. 42:17.

11.

Promises to the blind. Isa. 42:16, 18.

12.

Commendable blindness. Isa. 42:

19, 20.

IV. The Law Magnified

13.

Reason for the Lord's pleasure. Isa.

42 : 21.

14.

The law made effective. Heb. 8:

10-13.

THE LESSON

of Isaiah. He is gentle, quiet, compassionate.

He does not come to crush life, but to de-

velop it; not to despise the weak, but to help

them. If there is but a dimly burning wick,

He does not give up hope. He will not stop

[ 30 ]

until the work is accomplished. Many of

the blind shall see the light, and the whole

earth shall praise the Lord.

The Lord's Servant

'What description is given o

God's servant? Isa. 42:1.

Nom.—Christ is the Servant (John 6:38),

sent to do the Father's will. He is the elect

whom the Father has chosen, and whom He

upholds.

"Bring forth judgment." The word "judg-

ment" occurs three times in these first verses,

and may be translated "law ;" but commen-

tators agree that the word is used here in a

larger sense, some rendering the sentence

thus: "He shall carry the true religion to the

Gentiles."

What will be the manner of

Christ's working? Isa. 42:2.

NOTE.—"In marked contrast to all this

[the manner of the Pharisees] was the life

of Jesus. In that life no noisy disputation,

no ostentatious worship, no act to gain ap-

plause, was ever witnessed. Christ was hid

in God, and God was revealed in the charac-

ter of His Son. To this revelation Jesus

desired the minds of the people to be di-

rected, and their homage to be given."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 261.

What two figures are used to

show Christ's love and tenderness for

the weak? Isa. 42:3, margin.

Nom.—There are few more beautiful pas-

sages in the Bible. The reed may be bruised,

but Christ will not break it. The candle may

burn dimly, but He will not blow it out.

There may not be much strength, the life

may be bruised and broken; there may not

be much light, rather smoke and darkness.

But Christ does not give up hope. His own

light does not burn dimly. By gentle meas-

ures the smoking flax may be fanned into a

flame. His purpose shall not be broken,

and the true religion, shall be extended to all

the earth.

What is Christ's attitude toward

His work? For what do the isles wait?

Isa. 42:4.

Nom.—Christ will not fail, He will not

give up, He will not give way to discourage-

ment nor break under the strain. The margin

of the American Revised Version gives "burn

dimly" instead of "fail," and "bruised" in-

stead of "discouraged."

A Light to the Gentiles

How is the true God revealed?

Isa. 42:5.

Nom.—Again and again the true God is

mentioned as the Creator. Here the reading

really is, Thus saith the God who alone is

truly God.

"That which cometh out of it" probably

refers to all that the earth produces—gold,

silver, and vegetation.

How does God speak of Christ's

appointment and of His work? Isa.

42:6, 7.

What does God set forth as a

reason for His superiority to idols?

Isa. 42:8, 9.

Nom.—The "former things" had all been

fulfilled. The "new things" will as surely

come to pass.

Triumph Over Enemies

What are we exhorted to do?

Who are to sing this song? Isa.

42:10-12.

What is the Lord about to do?

Isa. 42:13-15.

NoTE.—The reason for singing the new

song is given in these verses. God is about

[ 31

N300 DOES NOT WISH NE TO HEAR ALL THAT

IS TO SE HEARD, OR

TO SEE ALL

THAT

SE SEEN: -- Testimonies, mi. I

707.

to manifest Himself. The second coming

of Christ is here brought to view. For a

long time God has restrained Himself and

kept still when iniquity raised its ugly head,

but now God will restrain Himself no more.

He will go forth. He will prevail against His

enemies.

10.

What will happen to the wor-

shipers of graven images? Isa. 42:17.

11.

What is God's promise to the

blind? Isa. 42:16, 18.

NOTE.—The blind here must have refer-

ence to the spiritually blind. In

Prophets

and Kings,

page 378, this text is applied to

"all the honest in heart in heathen lands."

There are many who are blind, but honest.

That which seems to them to be darkness

will then be made light, and the crooked

things will be made straight. This should

give us hope for many who apparently are

rejecting light.

12.

How is the attitude of God's

servant to his surroundings revealed?

Isa. 42:19, 20.

NOTE.—"The

work outlined in these scrip-

tures [Isa. 42:16-21] is the work before us.

The terms 'My servant,' Israel,"The Lord's

servant,' mean anyone that the Lord may

select and appoint to do a certain work. He

makes them ministers of His will, though

some who are selected may be as ignorant of

His will as was Nebuchadnezzar."—Testi-

monies,

vol. 9, p. 138.

"God does not wish us to hear all that is

to be heard, or to see all that is to be seen. It

is a great blessing to close the ears, that we

hear not, and the eyes, that we see not. The

greatest anxiety should be to have clear

eyesight to discern our own shortcomings,

and a quick ear to catch all needed reproof

and instruction, lest by our inattention and

carelessness we let them slip and become

forgetful hearers and not doers of the work."

—Testimonies, vol. 1,

pp. 707, 708.

The Law Magnified

13.

What is the Lord well pleased

to do? Isa. 42:21. Compare Matt.

5:18, 19.

NcrrE.—"The beloved disciple, who lis-

tened to the words of Jesus on the mount,

writing long afterward under the inspiration

of the Holy Spirit, speaks of the law as of

perpetual obligation. He says that 'sin is the

transgression of the law,' and that 'whoso-

ever committeth sin transgresseth also the

law.' He makes it plain that the law to

which he refers is 'an old commandment

which ye had from the beginning.' He is

speaking of the law that existed at the

creation, and was reiterated upon Mount

Sinai."—Thoughts From the Mount of

Blessing,

page 78.

"It was further prophesied of the Mes-

siah: 'He shall not fail nor be discouraged,

till He bath set judgment in the earth:

and the isles shall wait for His law.' The

Son of God was to 'magnify the law, and

make,it honorable.' He was not to lessen

its importance and binding claims; He was

rather to exalt it. At the same time, He

was to free the divine precepts from those

burdensome exactions placed upon them by

man, whereby many were brought to dis-

couragement in their efforts to serve God

acceptably."—Prophets

and Kings,

page 693.

"The third angel's message, embracing the

messages of the first and second angels, is

the message for this time. We are to raise

aloft the banner on which is inscribed: 'The

[ 32 ]

commandments of God, and the faith of

Jesus.' The world is soon to meet the great

Lawgiver over His broken law. This is not

the time to put out of sight the great issues

before us. God calls upon His people to

magnify the law and make it honorable."—

Testimonies,

vol. 8, p. 197.

14. How does God propose to make

the law effective in the life of the

Christian? Heb. 8:10-13.

NOTE.—"So long as heaven and earth con-

tinue, the holy principles of God's law will

remain. His righteousness, 'like the great

Mountains,' will continue, a source of bless-

ing, sending forth streams to refresh the

earth.

"Because the law of the Lord is perfect,

and therefore changeless, it is impossible for

sinful men, in themselves, to meet the stand-

ard of its requirement. This was why Jesus

came as our Redeemer. It was His mission,

by making men partakers of the divine na-

ture, to bring them into harmony with the

principles of the law of heaven. . . .

"The new-covenant promise is, 'I will put

My laws into their hearts, and in their minds

will I write them.' While the system of

types which pointed to Christ as the Lamb

of God that should take away the sin of the

world, was to pass away at His death,

the principles of righteousness embodied in

the Decalogue are as immutable as the eter-

nal throne. Not one command has been an-

nulled, not a jot or tittle has been changed.

Those principles that were made known to

man in Paradise as the great law of life, will

exist unchanged in Paradise restored. When

Eden shall bloom on earth again, God's law

of love will be obeyed by all beneath the

sun."—Thoughts From the Mount of Bless-

ing,

pages 80, 81.

Lesson 10, for March 10, 1956

Gathering of Israel; Witnesses for God

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 43.

MEMORY VERSE: "I,

even

I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own

sake, and will not remember thy sins." Isaiah 43:25.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review

and Herald;" "Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary," Isaiah, chapter 43.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

Monday: Questions 5-7.

Tuesday: Questions 8, 9.

survey of Wednesday: Questions 10-13.

Thursday: Read from Study Helps as-

signment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. God's Love for His People

"Fear not: .. . thou art Mine." Isa.

43:1.

Promised protection. Isa. 43:2.

Value God places on His people. Isa.

43:3, 4.

Gathers them from all places. -Isa.

43:5-7.

II. The Divine Summons

God's call to the nations. Isa. 43:8, 9.

Called to be His witnesses. Isa.

43:10.

E 33

Responsibility of His witnesses. Isa.

43:11-13.

III. God Intervenes for His People

Foretells the overthrow of Babylon.

Isa. 43 :14-17.

Makes a way in the wilderness. Isa.

43:18-21.

IV. God Reproves His People

10.

His complaint. Isa. 43:22-24.

11.

His willingness to blot out their sins.

Isa. 43:25.

12.

"Let us plead together." Isa. 43:26.

13.

Sin brings a curse. Isa. 43:27, 28.

THE LESSON

Saviour died."—The

Desire of Ages,

pages

479, 480.

Introduction

The lesson of this chapter centers around

two main topics. The first seven verses tell

of God's great love for His people, His

willingness to make any sacrifices to ensure

their salvation, to make certain that no

honest heart should be lost. He then makes

the promise that every member of His fam-

ily, those called by His name, should be

gathered to Himself.

The second topic deals with the weighing

of men in the balances, a testing of their

loyalty. God depends upon the witness of

His children. We are to testify of what He

has done for us, of what we know by per-

sonal experience. A witness is allowed to tell

only that which he personally knows to be

true. Now, what has God done for you?

God is looking for witnesses to testify to

what He has done for them.

God's Love for His People

1. What comforting statement is

made by the Lord to His people? Isa.

43:1.

NorE.—"Fear not." This blessed assurance

that we need not fear is especially comfort-

ing in view of the last verses of the preced-

ing chapter, where it is stated that God will

pour out His fury against them that walk

not in His ways nor keep His law.

"Called thee by thy name." "Jesus knows

us individually, and is touched with the

feeling of our infirmities. He knows us all

by name. He knows the very house in

which we live, the name of each occupant.

He has at times given directions to His serv-

ants to go to a certain street in a certain

city, to such a house, to find one of His

sheep. Every soul is as fully known to Jesus

as if he were the only one for whom the

What promises are given to

God's people when in trial? Isa. 43:2.

Nora—God's promise to help His people

has been wonderfully fulfilled in the past.

For example, see Daniel 3:27 and Exodus

14:21, 22. When the trials of the last days

shall come, these promises will become very

precious indeed.

"Often the church militant is called upon

to suffer trial and affliction; for not without

severe conflict is the church to triumph.

`The bread of adversity,' the water of afflic-

tion,' these are the common lot of all; but

none who put their trust in the One mighty

to deliver will be utterly overwhelmed."—

Prophets and Kings,

page 723.

How much does God think of

His people? Isa. 43:3, 4.

Nora—God loves His people. He loves

them so much that their worth cannot .be

expressed in terms of money. He would

gladly give Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba for

them. "I will give men for thee." That

which is of immeasurably greater value than

silver or gold, than property of any kind—

men, human lives—God would give for His

people. He spared not His own Son, but

freely gave Him. He has permitted some of

His own to give their lives for those "other

sheep" who have not known Him.

With what promise does God al-

lay the fears of His people? Isa. 43:5-7.

[34]

NOTE.—These encouraging words should

have been fulfilled under the decree of

Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes when

(a)

the

people scattered throughout the Persian Em-

pire from Ethiopia to India (see Esther 1:1

and 3:8) returned to Palestine, and

(b)

in a

great world-wide missionary movement car-

ried out by a holy people thus restored to

their land. Because they failed to do their

part, this scripture is now being fulfilled.

The message is sounding in all parts of the

earth, and God is calling men from every

nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

"Called by My name." Of a certain com-

pany it is written that they will have the

Father's name written in their foreheads.

Rev. 14:1. God's name is what He is. Ex.

3:14. Hence to be called by the name of

God means to have His character.

The Divine Summons

What call does God now issue to

all the nations? What challenge does

He make? Isa. 43:8, 9.

NOTE.—God is calling all nations together

as to a judgment scene. "Let them bring

forth their witnesses," He says. The ques-

tion is, Who is the true God? He challenges

them to "show us former things," that is,

things that they have predicted and which

have come to pass. If they profess to do this,

let them bring forth their witnesses to sup-

port their contention. If they cannot do

this, let them hear God's side of the case

and say, "It is truth."

To what exalted privilege and

task are God's people called? Isa.

43:10.

NorE.—"Our confession of His faithful-

ness is Heaven's chosen agency for re-

vealing Christ to the world. We are to

acknowledge His grace as made known

through the holy men of old; but that which

will be most effectual is the testimony of our

own experience. We are witnesses for God

as we reveal in ourselves the working of a

power that is divine. Every individual has a

life distinct from all others, and an experi-

ence differing essentially from theirs. God

desires that our praise shall ascend to Him,

GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS SAVE US FROM

TROUBLE ; HE SAVES u9 IN

OUR

AFFLi011oNe.

marked with our own individuality. These

precious acknowledgments to the praise of

the glory of His grace, when supported by a

Christlike life, have an irresistible power

that works for the salvation of souls."—The

Ministry of Healing,

page 100.

Of what are God's people to

bear witness? Isa. 43:11-13.

NOTE.—"The people of the world are wor-

shiping false gods. They are to be turned

from their false worship, not by hearing

denunciation of their idols, but by beholding

something better. God's goodness is to be

made known. 'Ye are My witnesses, saith

the Lord, that I am God.'

"—Christ's Ob-

ject Lessons,

page 299.

As to .being a witness, "This also we shall

be in eternity."—Education, page 308.

"Thc redeemed only, of all created beings,

have in their own experience known the

actual conflict with sin; they have wrought

with ,Christ, and, as even the angels could

not do, have entered into the fellowship of

His sufferings; will they have no testimony

as to the science of redemption,—nothing

that will be of worth to unfallen beings?"—

Ibid.

The first statement, "Before the day was

I am He," is variously translated. The sense

seems to be, "I am ever the same." Before

the day was, that is, before time began,. "I

am He." "Fr

om this day forth I am He."

(American Revised Version, margin.)

[3b]

God Intervenes for His People

How is the fall of Babylon an-

nounced? Isa. 43:14-17.

NoTE.—In these verses the fall of Babylon

is announced, but in very general terms. We

are told that the chariot and horse, the army

and the power, shall lie down together and

not rise again, that they shall become ex-

tinct. When this calamity should come, His

people were to know that the Holy One, the

Creator of Israel, is their King, and that He

will make a way for them in the sea and a

path in the mighty waters.

What figures are used to indi-

cate the way the people of God will

show forth His praise? Isa. 43:18-21.

NoTE.—These verses seem to have also a

prophetic meaning, referring to the time

when the Lord shall gather His sons and

daughters from the ends of the earth. Then

He will do a new thing. He will make ways

of travel in the wildernesses of the world

and along the rivers of the desert so that His

witness may reach His children in the east

and gather them from the west.

God Reproves His People

10.

What complaint does God

bring 'against His people? Isa. 43:

22-24.

NOTE.—God's

people have neglected

prayers; they have become weary of Him.

What an indictment! Against this charge

God defends Himself. He has not required

much of His people. He has not wearied

them either with offerings or with incense.

God now speaks of His weariness with

His people. "I have not caused thee to

serve," He says, "but thou hast made Me to

serve with thy sins." I have not "wearied

thee with incense," but "thou hast wearied

Me with thine iniquities." All power is of

God. When we sin, we use for a base pur-

pose the power God has given us. We make

Him to serve with our sins. What a fearful

condition!

11.

What wonderful service will

God perform for His people? Isa.

43:25.

NOTE.—It would be natural to expect God

to be so weary with our sins that He would

turn us away. On the contrary, God blots

out our sins, not for our sakes, not because

we deserve it, but for His own sake.

12.

What does God say we are to

do, and for what purpose? Isa. 43:26.

13.

What are the results of Israel's

following in the transgressions of

their leaders? Isa. 43:27, 28.

ATTENTION, SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHERS!

Are you using the Teacher's Edition of the "Sabbath School

Lesson Quarterly"? If not, you should ask your Sabbath-school

secretary to secure it for you. You will find it a great help in the

preparation of your lesson as well as in teaching, for every other

page in the quarterly is blank, thus giving space on which to

write out answers to questions, notes, or special comments to use

in class. It has been provided in response to requests from many

teachers. It is designed to help you, but it cannot help you if you

do not use it. Try it!

[ 36 ]

Lesson 11, for March 17, 1956

Worship of the True God

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 44; 45:1-4.

MEMORY VERSE:

"I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as

a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee." Isa. 44:22.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary," Isaiah, chapters 44, 45.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey of

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions

1-4.

Monday: Questions 5-7.

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

Wednesday: Questions 11-14.

Thursday: Read from Study Helps as-

signment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. God's Message to Israel

God is Creator. Isa. 44:1, 2.

Outpouring of the Spirit. Isa. 44:3, 4.

Called by the name of the Lord. Isa.

44:5.

Attested by the God of Israel. Isa.

44:6-8.

II. Vanity of Graven images

Profitable for nothing. Isa. 44:9-11.

Description of image making. Isa.

44:12-17.

7. Foolishness of idolatry. Isa. 44:18-

20.

III. Israel My Servant

8. A precious reminder. Isa. 44:21, 22.

9. Rejoicing over redemption of Jacob.

Isa. 44:23.

10. Redeemer and Creator confirms the

word of His servant. Isa. 44:24-27.

IV. Cyrus

The Lord's Anointed

11. Commission to rebuild Jerusalem.

Isa. 44:28.

12. An instrument in God's hand to

subdue nations. Isa. 45:1.

13. God goes before him. Isa. 45:2, 3.

14. Named for the sake of God's people.

Isa. 45:4.

THE LESSON

Introduction

God will pour out His Spirit, but only

upon them that are thirsty. Many will be

converted also among the Gentiles. These

shall all acknowledge the true God and keep

themselves from idols.

Two things distinguish the true God from

false gods. God is the Creator. God is the

God of prophecy. He can tell the future.

We may not worship idols of wood and

stone. But if we do not acknowledge God as

Creator, if we accept evolution as a substi-

tute for creation, we have formed another

god and rejected the true One.

God may use nations and kings to fulfill

His word. So He did in the case of Cyrus.

Our faith should be strengthened as we see

prophecy fulfilled.

God's Message to Israel

1. In addressing His chosen people,

how does God again call attention to

the fact that He is the Creator? Isa.

44:1, 2.

[ 37 ]

I HAVE BLOTTED NT._

THY TRANS60.ESSKIHS

THE PRECIOUS PROMISE

FORA PENITENT

SINNER

NoTE.—It is interesting to note how God

uses every opportunity to emphasize the fact

of creation. Here He announces Himself as

the One who made and formed man.

Jeshurun means the "upright one." It

may here be used to show the change from

"Jacob, the supplanter."

What will be the result of the

outpouring of God's Spirit? Isa.

44:3, 4.

NOTE.—"There are certain conditions

upon which we may expect that God will

hear and answer our prayers. One of the

first of these is that we feel our need of help

from Him. He has promised, 'I will pour

water upon him that is thirsty, and floods

upon the dry ground.' Those who hunger

and thirst after righteousness, who long after

God, may be sure that they will be filled.

The heart must be open to the Spirit's in-

fluence, or God's blessing cannot be re-

ceived."—Steps

to Christ,

page 99.

The result of the outpouring of the Spirit

is the springing up here and there of life—

new believers.

What will be the response of

different people? Isa. 44:5.

NOTE.—This verse tells of the ingathering

of Gentiles as a result of the outpouring of

the Spirit.

What proof does God present to

show that beside Him there is no god?

Isa. 44:6-8.

NOTE.—God is here King, Redeemer, the

First and the Last, the only One.

A paraphrase of verse 7 would read: "Who

is like Me? For since the beginning, I have

prophesied and declared and set in order.

Now let them—the false gods—tell us the

future."

God repeatedly calls attention to prophecy

as incontestable proof of divinity. We may

do the same. We need not fear. God stands

by His predictions.

Vanity of Graven Images

How does God again emphasize

the vanity of graven images? Isa.

44:9-11.

NarE.—"Their delectable things." An-

other name for their idols which are "pets,

favorites, treasures." They are their own

witnesses. They witness against themselves,

for they can neither see nor know. How,

then, can they help others? Verse 10 is a

rhetorical question, "Who is so foolish as to

make an image?"

"His fellows," that is, worshipers.

The workmen are men. And how can men

make a god?

How is the fashioning of an idol

described? Isa. 44:12-17.

In what striking language does

God expose the stupidity of those who

make and worship idols? Isa. 44:18-20.

NOTE.—"He bath shut their eyes." Rather,

their eyes are plastered over.

38 ]

"None considereth." They do not think,

they do'not reflect. If they did, they would

see the folly of their action.

"Feedeth on ashes." See Proverbs 15:14 ;

Hosea 12:1.

"A deceived heart." We need to ask God

to help us not to deceive ourselves.

"Cannot deliver his soul." Help must

come from some outside source. We cannot

save ourselves. An idol is a lie. Men believe

an idol can help, but this is a vain hope.

Israel My Servant

What vital facts are Jacob 'and

Israel told to remember? What invi-

tation is given? Isa. 44:21, 22.

NOTE.—God tells His people to remember

these things of which He has just been

speaking. And if they do, God will remem-

ber them. They shall not be forgotten. God

does not merely promise. to forgive, but in

this text it is spoken of as already done. "I

have blotted out." It is as though a father

were speaking to a wayward son or daughter

who had caused the parents much sorrow

and grief: I have forgiven the past. All is

well. Come home. Return to me. I have

redeemed you.

Why are heaven and earth called

upon to break forth into singing?

Isa. 44:23.

NorE.—Rejoice, for the Lord hath done

it! The Lord hath redeemed Jacob.

10.

How does the Lord again men-

tion His creative power? What other

references does He make to His

power? Isa. 44:24-27.

Cyrus—The Lord's Anointed

11.

As the Lord's servant, what

important proclamation was Cyrus to

make? Isa. 44:28.

Nom—The mention of Cyrus by name,

one hundred fifty years before his appear-

ance, has been one of the chief factors in

causing critics to believe that Isaiah did not

write this part of his .prophecies. It seems

impossible to them that God could give a

man's name even before his birth. Such an

attitude shows a great lack of faith, and,

indeed, most of the work of the critics is

founded in unbelief. Josiah's name was an-

nounced three centuries before his birth.

1 Kings 13:2. And why should it be thought

thing incredible that God should do this?

These very chapters in Isaiah emphasize

again and again that God is different from

idols. He can foretell the future. They can-

not. For anyone to hold the view that God

cannot tell what is to come, is to put Him

on a level with idols.

12.

How is Cyrus and his work fur-

ther spoken of? Isa. 45:1.

NorE.—"His anointed." The only place in

the Scriptures where this is spoken of a

Gentile.

"The advent of the army of Cyrus before

the walls of Babylon was to the Jews a sign

that their deliverance from captivity was

drawing nigh. More than a century before

the birth of Cyrus, Inspiration had men-

tioned him by name, and had caused a record

to be made of the actual work he should do

in taking the city of Babylon unawares, and

in preparing the way for the release of the

children of the captivity. Through Isaiah

the word had been spoken.. .

"In the unexpected entry of the army of

the Persian conqueror into the heart of the

Babylonian capital by way of the channel

of the river whose waters had been turned

aside, and through the inner gates that in

careless security had been left open and un-

protected, the Jews had abundant evidence

of the literal fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy

concerning the sudden overthrow of their

oppressors."—Prophets

and. Kings,

pages

551, 552.

13.

What did God promise to do

for Cyrus, and for what reason? Isa.

45:2, 3.

NOTE —God would go before and help

Cyrus. He is the One who would cause

the gates to open. God would so work

[ 39 3

that Cyrus could not fail to know that

some supernatural power was helping him.

Babylon, according to Herodotus, had one

hundred gates, all of brass. The city could

not be taken in any ordinary manner.

14. For whose sake was Cyrus

called by name? Isa. 45:4.

NorE.-To establish the faith of His peo-

ple, God called Cyrus by name. When we see

prophecy fulfilled, our faith should become

stronger. The fulfillment of prophecy in the

signs of the times occurring all about us

should have the same effect. Now is no

time for discouragement. We are about to

see the consummation of our hope.

Lesson 12, for March 24, 1956

Only One Saviour

LESSON SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 45:5-25; 46.

MEMORY VERSE: "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I

am God, and there is none else." Isa. 45:22.

STUDY HELPS: Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary," Isaiah, chapters 45, 46.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey of

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

Monday: Questions 5-7.

Tuesday: Questions 8-11.

Wednesday: Questions 12-15.

Thursday: Read Study Helps assignment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. No God but the Lord.

The one true God girded Cyrus.

Isa.

45:5,

His power over light and darkness,

peace

and evil. Isa. 45:7.

Promised blessings. Isa. 45:8.

Woe for

those who strive against

God. Isa. 45:9, 10.

II. God Is the Creator

God makes known His creative

power and foreknowledge. Isa.

45:

11-14.

Idolators confounded;

worshipers of

Creator vindicated. Isa. 45:15-17.

[

40]

7. Earth

created not in vain. Isa. 45:

18, 19.

8. God, the Creator, calls to the ends

of the earth.

Isa. 45:20-22.

9. Every knee shall bow. Isa. 45:23.

10. In Him is righteousness and justifi-

cation. Isa. 45:24, 25.

Downfall of Babylonian gods. Isa.

46:1, 2.

12.

Sustaining power of God. Isa.

46:3, 4.

13.

God not to be compared to idols.

Isa. 46:5-9. -

14.

Immutability

of His counsel.

Isa.

46:10,

11.

15.

Salvation in Zion. Isa. 46:13.

III. There Is None Else

11.

THE LESSON

Introduction

The warnings against idolatry have mean-

ing for more people than those of Isaiah's

time. Anything that comes between us and

our God is a false god, an idol. The lusts of

the flesh or the eye, worldly wisdom, the

follies and fashions of the hour, position or

honor, any attempt to purchase or earn our

salvation by our own merits—anything or

anyone besides Christ which we trust to

make us worthy to obtain God's favor, be-

comes a vain hope, a false god. No works of

our own can take the place of Christ. There

is only one Saviour. Isaiah 45:21. He saves

to the uttermost. Remember the admonition,

"Keep yourselves from idols." 1 John 5:21.

No God but the Lord

What was the ultimate purpose

of God in the call and girding of

Cyrus for his work? Isa. 45:5, 6.

NoTE.—"I girded thee." As God loosed

the loins of the adversaries (verse 1), to

weaken them, so He "girded" those of Cyrus,

to strengthen him.

What does God form, create,

make? Isa. 45:7.

NoTE.—"Create evil." The "evil" here

mentioned is not moral evil but physical,

and could well be translated "calamity." God

punishes for sin, and it is these calamities to

which the prophet refers. See Amos 3:6.

What blessings are promised to

God's people? Isa. 45:8.

NoTE.—These words indicate in figurative

language the blessed consequences of open-

ing the heart to God's righteousness. Refer-

ence is here made to the creative power of

God manifested in the new life.

What warning is given concern-

ing our strife against our Maker? Isa.

45:9, 10.

God Is the Creator

How does God here make known

His creative power and foreknowl-

edge? Isa. 45:11-14.

NoTE.—God had raised up Cyrus and

would direct his ways. He was to conquer

Egypt and Ethiopia, and they were to ac-

knowledge God's dealings.

What is God said to do? What

contrast is shown in the experience

of Israel? Isa. 45:15-17.

NoTE.—God sometimes hides Himself. He

"moves in a mysterious way His wonders to

perform." See Romans 11:33.

"An everlasting salvation." Not saved

today and lost tomorrow. Not a wonderful

mountaintop experience one year at some

great meeting, and then an intermediate

lapse into the valley.

"World without end." Literally, to all

eternity.

For what purpose did God form

the earth? How has God spoken to

mankind? Isa. 45:18, 19.

NoTE.—God does not ask men to seek

Him in vain, literally, in chaos, that is, with-

out definite guidance and without hope of

result.

What invitation and assurance

does the one true God give to all

mankind? Isa. 45:20-22.

NOTE.—"Ye that are escaped of the na-

tions." As Cyrus issued a call to the Jews

throughout his kingdom to return to Jerusa-

lem and restore the temple, so God is calling

us today to return to Him.

"Tell ye." Announce, or, as in the Ameri-

can Revised Version, "declare," His message

of mercy to the nations.

[41

]

ANYTHING

THAT

COMES

BETWEEN

US AND GOD

IS AN 1001. .

What has God sworn concerning

the people of the earth? Isa. 45:23.

NoTx.—Referring to events to take place

at the close of the millennium, the following

description is given: "Now Christ again ap-

pears to the view of His enemies. Far above

the city, upon a foundation of burnished

gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon

this throne sits the Son of God, and around

Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The

power and majesty of Christ no language

can describe, no pen portray."—The

Great

Controversy,

page 665.

"As if entranced, the wicked have looked

upon the coronation of the Son of God.

They see in His hands the tables of the

divine law, the statutes which they have

despised and transgressed. They witness the

outburst of wonder, rapture, and adoration

from the saved; and as the wave of melody

sweeps over the multitudes without the city,

all with one voice exclaim, 'Great and mar-

velous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty;

just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of

saints;' and falling prostrate, they worship

the Prince of

life."—Ibid.,

pp. 668, 669.

10.

In whom do we have righteous-

ness, strength, and justification? Isa.

45:24, 25.

There Is None Else

11.

What is said of the downfall of

the Babylonian gods? Isa. 46:1, 2.

Nom—Bel and Nebo were Babylonian

gods, answering to Jupiter and Mercury.

See Acts 14:12. Bel is much the same as

Baal, mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.

The picture here is of Babylonians trying

to save their gods. They put them on beasts,

and they make a load. "They could not

deliver." Their gods cannot save them. The

gods themselves are "gone into captivity."

12.

What beautiful promises are

given those who are growing old in

Israel? Isa. 46:3, 4.

NOTE.—The contrast here is striking.

While the Babylonians must carry their idols

to save them, God carries and delivers. God

will not forsake. "Even to your old age I

am He."

13.

What points are emphasized as

God again calls the people to distin-

guish between His power and that of

useless idols? Isa.

NOTE.—Remember this, and show your-

selves men ! In a time of idolatry, when the

whole current of life is downward, it takes

courage to stand against popular supersti-

tions and customs. God calls for men.

"The greatest want of the world is the

want of men,—men who will not be bought

or sold; men who in their inmost souls are

true and honest; men who do not fear to call

sin by its right name; men whose conscience

is as true to duty as the needle to the pole;

men who will stand for the right though the

heavens

fall."—Education,

page 57.

14.

What does God declare from

the beginning? What example does

He cite? Isa. 46:10, 11.

NOTE.—God again calls attention to the

prophetic word, saying He has declared "the

[ 42

end from the beginning." Even in the first

chapter of the Bible the heavenly bodies are

mentioned as being signs.

"My counsel shall stand." See Isa. 14:24.

"My pleasure," rather, My purpose.

Cyrus is here likened to a ravenous bird,

as Nebuchadnezzar was likened to an eagle.

Ezek. 17:3. The royal Persian ensign was an

eagle.

15. Where has God placed salva-

tion? Isa. 46:13.

NOTE.-"

bring near My righteousness;

it shall not be far off, and My salvation shall

not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion

for Israel My glory.'

"In word and in deed the Messiah, during

His earthly ministry, was to reveal to man-

kind the glory of God the Father. Every act

of His life, every word spoken, every miracle

wrought, was to make known to fallen hu-

manity the infinite love of God. . . .

"Through- patriarchs and prophets, as well

as through types and symbols, God spoke

to the world concerning the coming of a

Deliverer from sin. A long line of inspired

prophecy pointed to the advent of 'the

Desire of all nations.' Even the very place

of His birth, and the time of His appearance,

were minutely

specified."-Prophets and

Kings,

pages 696, 697.

Lesson 13, for March 31, 1956

God's Care for His People

LESSON SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah

47; 48; 49:1-23.

MEMORY VERSE: "Can

a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have

compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget

thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are

continually before Me." Isa. 49:15, 16.

STUDY HELPS:

Lesson Helps in "Review and Herald;" "Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary," Isaiah, chapters 47, 48, and 49.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT

Sabbath afternoon: general survey of

the lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1, 2.

Monday: Questions 3-8.

Tuesday: Questions 9-11.

Wednesday: Questions 12-16.

Thursday: Read from Study Helps as-

signment.

Friday: Review the entire lesson.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Babylon and the House of Jacob

Reasons for fall of Babylon. Isa.

47:6, 8, 10.

Plea to house of Jacob. Isa. 48:

17-20.

II. The Lord's Servant

3. Isles called to listen to His servant.

Isa. 49:1-3. Compare Rev. 18:1-3.

"Labored in vain." Isa. 49:4. Com-

pare Rev. 18:4.

Purpose of the call. Isa. 49:5.

III. A Light to the Gentiles

God's purpose. Isa. 49:6.

The Holy One of Israel. Isa. 49:7.

A covenant to the people. Isa. 49:8.

A Liberator. Isa. 49:9, first part.

10.

A Protector. Isa. 49:9 (last part), 10.

Compare Ps. 121:2-8.

[48

IV. God's Purpose for His Church

11.

Way prepared for the peoples. Isa.

49:11, 12.

12.

Heaven's rejoicing, Zion's complaint.

Isa. 49:13, 14.

13.

God's remembrance of His people.

Isa. 49 :15-17.

V. Enlargement Promised

14.

Gathering of the peoples. Isa. 49:18.

15.

Need for expansion. Isa. 49:19, 20.

16.

Enlargement from the Gentiles. Isa.

49:21-23.

THE LESSON

as yet wrestled with God and obtained the

victory. Yet "they call themselves of the

Holy City, and stay themselves upon the

God of Israel." Verse 2. To them the mes-

sage comes, "Go ye forth of Babylon." Verse

20. They are members of the church of

God, but they live in Babylon. If such

would only hearken to God's command-

ments, their peace would be like a river.

The Lord's Servant

3. In the beginning of chapter 49

who are called upon to listen? What

does God say of His people? Isa.

49:1-3. Compare Rev. 18:1-3.

Introduction

The judgments against ancient Babylon,

and God's summons to His people to depart

from her, find their modern counterpart in

His judgments against spiritual Babylon and

His call, "Come out of her, My people." In

the present lesson we touch briefly on chap-

ters 47 and 48 before going on to a more

detailed study of chapter 49. Those who

have the time to do so will be greatly bene-

fited by reading and studying all three chap-

ters embraced in this lesson.

Babylon and the House of Jacob

1. Enumerate the reasons given in

Isaiah 47 for the fall of Babylon. Isa.

47:6, 8, 10.

NOTE.

-In

the three verses cited, three

reasons are given:

Unmercifulness. Babylon showed no

mercy to the captives. Even the aged,

"the ancient," were made to do hard labor.

Verse 6.

Pride. Verse 8. "I am, and none else

beside Me."

Wisdom and knowledge of the wrong

kind. The education of Babylon "caused

thee to turn away," caused the students

thereof to turn from God. Verse 10, margin.

2. What plea does God make to the

house of Jacob? What are they to do?

Isa. 48:17-20.

NOTE.-The message in Isaiah 48 is di-

rected to the house of Jacob, "which are

called by the name of Israel" but "not in

truth; nor in righteousness." Isaiah 48:1.

That is, while they are called Israel, they

are in reality only Jacobs, such as have not

NOTE.

-"Isles,"

literally, "coastland," that

is, distant countries; "people," literally, peo-

ples. The whole world is called upon to hear

the announcement, for it concerns the whole

world.

"The Lord hath called Me." See Luke

1:31-33.

"Mention of My name." See Matthew

1:21.

"Sharp sword." See Hebrews 4:12.

"A polished shaft," or arrow, even sharper

than a sword.

The description of "My Servant" is that

of Christ.

The Desire of Ages,

pages 678 and 679,

where Isaiah 49:4, 5, 7-10 is quoted, this

scripture is applied to Christ. In

TesOnio-

hies,

volume 7, pages 191, 192, it is applied to

the people of God. Hence we accept these

references as having a double application,

first to Christ, then to Israel, old and new.

4. What brought discouragement

to God's "Servant"? By what words

did He show that He left the matter

with God? Isa. 49:4. Compare Rev.

18:4.

OUR SAVIOUR NEVER FORGETS US, FOR

OUR NAMES ARE ENGRAVED ON HIS HANDS.

Norh.—"As the world's Redeemer, Christ

was constantly confronted with apparent

failure. He, the messenger of mercy to our

world, seemed to do little of the work He

longed to do in uplifting and saving. Sa-

tanic influences were constantly working to

oppose His way. But He would not be dis-

couraged. Through the prophecy of Isaiah

He declares, 'I have labored in vain, I have

spent My strength for nought, and in vain:

yet surely My judgment is with the Lord,

and My work with My God.'

"—The Desire

of Ages,

page 678.

If Christ could feel a sense of discourage-

ment, is it surprising that we sometimes feel

the same way? Let us follow His example:

Leave ourselves with the Lord, and take

courage.

The American Revised Version translates

the latter part of the verse:

"Yet

surely the

justice due to Me is with Jehovah, and My

recompense with My God."

5. For what purpose was "My Serv-

ant" called? Isa. 49:5.

NorE.—This verse seems to have definite

reference to Christ. He was called to bring

"Jacob" back to God, and also, as the Amer-

ican Revised Version has it, "that Israel be

gathered unto Him."

Christ was glorious, or honorable, in the

sight of God. Yet He did not take glory to

Himself. He said, "I can of Mine own self

do nothihg." John 5:30.

A Light to the Gentiles

What twofold responsibility did

God place upon His Servant? Isa. 49:6.

Non.—"This prophecy was generally un-

derstood as spoken of the Messiah, and when

Jesus said, 'I am the Light of the world,' the

people could not fail to recognize His claim

to be the Promised One."—The

Desire of

Ages,

page 465.

"It was generally understood that the

coming of the Messiah was referred to in

the prophecy [Isaiah

49:6]."—Prophets and

Kings,

pages 688, 689.

This prophecy, however, also has an appli-

cation to the people of God.

"This is the word of the Lord to all who

are in any way connected with His appointed

institutions. They are favored of God, for

they are brought into channels where the

light shines. They are in His special service,

and they should not esteem this a light

thing."—Testimonies, vol.

7, p. 192.

A paraphrase of Isaiah 49:6 would read:

"It is too small a work for you to labor only

among those who already know the truth.

I will send you for a light to the heathen,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of

the earth."

How is Christ spoken of? What

prophecy is made concerning Him?

Isa. 49:7.

NoTE.—This verse refers definitely to

Christ. "It is to Christ that the promise is

given."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 678. He

was despised of men. Isaiah 53:3. It is not

the Jews only who cry, "Away with Him."

John 19:15. "A servant of rulers," taunted

and scourged by such rulers as Herod and

Pontius Pilate. Luke 23:11; John 19:1, 16.

Nevertheless, the time will come when kings

and rulers shall "see and arise." Wonderful

change!

What assurance does God give

to His Servant? Isa. 49:8.

Nom—Christ is here again spoken of as

"a covenant of the people." Compare chap-

ter 42:6. He has become the mediator of

a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6), and hence

may be spoken of in the terms of our text.

"Establish the earth," rather, raise up the

earth, that is, lift it out of its present de-

graded, sin-cursed condition. Christ came

to seek and to save that which is lost, and

this includes the earth.

What proclamation is to be made

to the prisoners? Isa. 49:9, first part.

NOTE

.—Compare Isaiah 61:1. Moffatt

translates the latter part of Isaiah 49:9 thus:

"On the road home, food shall never fail

them, they shall find pasture even upon bare

hills."

10.

What promise is made to them?

Isa. 49:9 (last part), 10. Compare Ps.

121:2-8.

God's Purpose for His Church

11.

How shall the way of the peo-

ple be prepared? Whence do these

prisoners come? Isa. 49:11, 12.

NorE.—By many commentators Sinim is

thought to refer to China. Other possible

interpretations of this verse are made in the

Commentary.

12.

Why are the heavens and the

earth to rejoice? But what does Zion,

or God's people, say? Isa. 49:13, 14.

13.

What illustrations are used to

show forth God's remembrance of His

people? Who shall be separated from

God's people? Isa. 49:15-17.

NorE.—"Not a single soul who puts his

trust in Him will be forgotten. God thinks

of His children with the tenderest solicitude

and keeps a book of remembrance before

Him, that He may never forget the children

of His

care."—Testimonies,

vol. 4, pp. 329,

330.

Verse 17 contains an interesting statement.

"Thy destroyers and they that made thee

waste shall go forth of thee." While God's

people are to go out of Babylon, when it

comes to the church, it is not the church that

leaves and goes out, but the destroyers, the

wasters. It is not those that "go forth" that

constitute the church. The church remains.

Enlargement Promised

14.

After the wasters and destroyers

have gone forth from the church, who

shall come to take their place? What

solemn statement does the Lord make?

Isa. 49:18.

15.

How is the enlargement of

God's people indicated? Isa. 49:19, 20.

16.

What questions shall Zion ask?

What answer does the Lord give? Isa.

49:21-23.

NorE.—These latter verses without doubt

found their first fulfillment in the coming in

of the Gentiles in the Christian Era. May we

not believe they will find another and even

more complete fulfillment, and that they that

wait for the Lord's second advent shall not

be ashamed?

It is not possible in one quarter's lessons to do justice to the wealth of material found in

the book of Isaiah. Therefore we will continue the study during next quarter, and even

then it will be necessary to omit or greatly abbreviate certain portions of the book.

[ 46 ]

THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING

March 31, 1956

The overflow of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on March 31 goes to the

Australasian Division to help to establish a medical unit in the New Hebrides

at Aore and to help in enlarging the Coral Sea Union Training School at

Kabiufa, New Guinea. The work in these heathen South Pacific Islands has

gone slowly during the years, but now within the last few years there is a

much greater turning to the light.

Now is our time of opportunity to come to the aid of these poor people.

Through the medical ministry, doors are opened for the gospel ministry, and

through our training schools young people are trained to work for their own

people. This is the only way the work can be finished in these islands, for the

foreign missionaries can never do it alone. Won't you pray and give for the

advancement of the work in these needy fields at this time?

Lessons foi the Second Quarter, 1956

Sabbath-school members who have failed to receive a senior

Lesson Quarterly

for the

second quarter of 1956 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first lesson.

The subject of the quarter's lessons is "Lessons From the Gospel Prophet, II." The title of

the first lesson is, "Thy Saviour and Thy Redeemer." The Memory Verse is Isaiah 50:10.

The texts to be studied are:

Ques. 1. Isa. 49:24.

Ques. 2. Isa. 49:25.

Ques. 3. Isa. 49:26.

Ques. 4. Isa. 50:1.

Ques. 5. Isa. 50:2, 3.

Ques. 6. Isa. 50:4.

Ques. 7. Isa. 50:5.

Ques. 8. Isa. 50:6.

Ques. 9. Isa. 50:7.

Ques. 10. Isa. 50:8.

Ques. 11. Isa. 50:9.

Ques. 12. Isa. 50:11.

Ques. 13. Isa. 50:10.

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271,608 102 5,588 12,791

712,120 84 3,785 6,052

1,329.570 32 3,198 25.893

4659,187 131 9,208 10,938

6,058538 167 14,636 16,438

13,031,023 516 36,415 72,112

EROMANCA